I Arbored Ann

2005-09-30T19:11:00.000-04:00

New Openings:

Live at PJ's, First Avenue (between Huron and Washington)

What used to be D'Amato's Italian Restaurant is now Live at PJ's, Ann Arbor's newest club. Grand opening is tonight with jazz, appetizers and no cover. Things kick off at 8pm.

2005-09-24T14:55:00.000-04:00

Housing Bubble:

If you ever want a quick primer in how to run a company into the ground, look no further than Spoon Companies (a.k.a. Spoon Equities, a.k.a. Spoon Commercial). As outlined by the latest such article in the Ann Arbor News, the last of the Spoon properties is in jeopardy of forced sale. The building in question has at times advertised the coming arrival of the Mellow Mushroom pizza joint but it never came to fruition. Spoon's legacy, however, will be that it left in its wake a couple of really nice looking buildings (namely, the Fifth Avenue Building and The Collegian Building).

2005-08-27T15:54:00.000-04:00

New Location:

Shalimar, Main Street (between William and Liberty)

Shalimar is opening a second location on Main (the original being on Washington between Fourth and Fifth). This seems to be the "Amer's Approach" to real estate, namely placing two or more locations within a three block radius. Also guilty of Amer's-ing is Sweetwater's, which now has a franchise location open in the Kerrytown shops (to compliment its other location on Ashley and Washington).

2005-08-25T13:18:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon:

Unnamed Bar, Washington Street (between Main and Ashley)

The owners of the Grizzley Peak have taken over the former Del Rio space next door and are adding a full-fledged, open-till-2am bar next to the Peak.

2005-08-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

New Openings:

Blue Wolverine Sports Bar, Main Street (between William and Liberty)

The owners of Full Moon have opened up the Blue Wolverine Sports Bar where Don Carlo's Mexican Restaurant used to be. Nothing else to report.

2005-08-24T17:54:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon:

Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, East Liberty (between State and Thompson)

According to the Ann Arbor News, Beaner's, an East Lansing-based coffee shop, is moving into the space recently vacated by American Spoon.

2005-08-21T21:06:00.000-04:00

Housing Bubble:

From the LA Times via Ann Arbor Is Overrated, it seems that local realtor Edward Surovell has some not-nice things to say about student tenants. To quote Surovell, "Students are horrible, disgusting. Their rooms smell. They live together like rabbits in a warren. They eat and sleep together. They have beer fights, and they don't make their beds."

Hmmm. I'm sure Martin Bouma doesn't take students for granted...

2005-08-21T11:09:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon:

McKinley Towne Centre, East Liberty, between Thompson and Division

The listings are up for retail and office space at the McKinley Towne Centre (also known as the most pretentiously spelled building of all time). According to the website, Ye Olde Towne Centre is "the New Nexus of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Located in the heart of the central business district and the University of Michigan campus, McKinley Towne Centre is positioned to serve the needs of urban professionals and students alike."

And for only $30 a square foot? We'll take two square feet!

2005-08-21T09:46:00.000-04:00

Chopping Block:

American Spoon, East Liberty (between State and Thompson)

According to a sign out front of the store, American Spoon's last day is today (Sunday, August 21st). So fill your gelato craving now lest you have to go to one of the other many gelato places in this town (Zingerman's, Gelato di Roma). And if you're craving something American, feel free to go to the newly opened American Apparel next door. Not as tasty, but you can wear it out in public.

2005-08-18T12:11:00.000-04:00

Chopping Block:

D'Amato's, First and Huron

According to Past the College Grounds, D'Amato's has closed its doors and rumor has it that a live music venue will be opening in its place. No word on whether the Royal Oak D'Amato's is still in business. Also, no word on what impact if any this has on Goodnight Gracie's (both the Ann Arbor and Royal Oak versions), which are owned by the same folks as D'Amato's.

2005-08-16T11:37:00.000-04:00

Housing Bubble:

Condo Hotline

New website trying to peddle condos in Ann Arbor before the bubble finished bursting. The website is run by Martin Bouma, locally known for his creepy commercials where he says, in a seductive voice: "I want to be your realtor." And you know what he's really saying is: "I want to get up in your realty." Anyone have any idea what his accent is? He sounds a bit like an Eastern European phone sex operator.

2005-08-16T11:34:00.000-04:00

Chopping Block:

The Tree, Detroit Street and East Kingsley Street

The Ann Arbor News reports that The Tree, the second-hand clothing store across the street from Zingerman's, is closing its doors at the end of the year.

2005-08-15T13:47:00.000-04:00

Housing Bubble:

North Sky, Pontiac Trail (off of M-14):

This new housing development promises "porches in the front and garages in the back" which we assume is a thinly-veiled sexual euphemism. According to the Ann Arbor News, this sort of New Urbanism development promises to "use less land, create a sense of community, reduce car trips and encourage healthy lifestyles." Also, world peace. So that's a nice plus, if you're into that sort of thing.

2005-08-07T19:25:00.000-04:00

Public Transportation:

The Link is back. And it's linking a few more places than before. From The Ann Arbor News:
"The Link buses will run their entire route from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and will serve just Oxford Housing, Trotter House and U-M Central Campus from 6-11 p.m. A U-M bus will still serve Oxford Housing and Trotter House from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday."

* On a side note, regular updates are returning soon. No surprise that anything Ann Arbor-related slows down over the summer.

2005-06-03T21:40:00.000-04:00

Update:

Alright, we've been away from Ann Arbor for a little while but we are back so a quick update on what we've noticed around town:

Kerrytown:
* Smoothie King still isn't open. We thought that the whole point of opening a franchise is that it comes in a box and all you have to do is open it up.
* Sweetwaters Cafe's first franchise location (at the Kerrytown Shops) is also not yet open (they were supposed to open in April... tick tock).
* Gelato di Roma, right next to Smoothie King, isn't open yet but they've got a lot of tearing up to do to their building. Thus far, they've installed big panes of glass where the walls used to be.

State Street area:
* Looks like the failure of a one-item Asian restaurant (Teryaki Grill) hasn't prevented some entrepreneurs from opening a two-item Indian restaurant (Pita Kabob Grill, or Pita Kabob something, it slips my mind). They're open for business.
* Harry's Army Surplus is under heavy construction now as they prepare to put in an Aveda salon (or so we've heard). That way the graduates from the Aveda institute can stick their comb in their holster and go up the street to start their careers.

Main Street area:
* Nothing to report thus far. Although Firefly Club has a large red sign out front now advertising their nightly jazz shows. It's a huge red banner. Gigantic.

2005-04-23T12:18:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon:
McKinley Towne Centre, Liberty Street (between Division and Fifth)

Check out Arbor Update for a review of the new plans for what used to be the TCF Bank building. Looks like more chain restaurants, though. Pretty soon Ann Arbor will look like a highway truck stop.

2005-04-23T12:12:00.000-04:00

Franchise Invasion:
Gelato di Roma, Fourth Avenue (between Ann and Catherine)

What could be a better fit next to People's Co-op and Cafe Verde than two new franchises (Smoothie King (see past entries) and now Gelato di Roma)? The new term for this sort of neighboring of polar opposites--"Bivouac-ing." As in, the two sides of Bivouac: on the one hand an outdoors store and on the other hand a designer clothing store.

2005-04-17T11:20:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon:
Cool Waves, on South University
American Apparel, Liberty Street (between State and Division)

The Michigan Business Review brings news this week of two new clothing stores. Unlike Poshh., neither will be bringing its own punctuation. American Apparel seems to be the equivalent of fair-trade clothing, the website boasts that it is made in downtown L.A., is sweatshop free, and is brand free. This is starting to sound like the Emperor's New Clothes.
As for Cool Waves, it is a local-to-Michigan chain started in Traverse City and its claim to fame is that it'll only stock "6 to 12" of any given item. If I had septuplets, I'd definitely shop there and dress them all alike.

2005-04-09T21:20:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon:
Pottery Barn, Briarwood Mall

According to the Michigan Business Review, Pottery Barn is set to arrive at the Briarwood Mall by December of 2005. Finally, our wicker and rattan needs will be met.

2005-04-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

State and Main:
Suwanee Springs Leather, Main Street (between William and Liberty)
Kioti, Main Street (between William and Liberty)
Four Seasons Perfume and Lingerie, Liberty Street (between Division and State)

Due to increased rents around State Street, Suwanee Springs is set to open where Mezzanine used to be at 306 South Main. Kioti has also moved to the same building (it's not clear whether it'll continue to share space with Seychelle or will move in with Suwanee Springs). Four Seasons is going to expand into some of the space left behind on Liberty Street. Fortunately, someone can afford the rent (don't worry, I'm sure Starbucks will buy up the remaining space).

2005-03-29T20:59:00.000-05:00

Coming Soon:
Unnamed Sushi Restaurant, Ypsilanti (on West Michigan Avenue)

The proprietor of Grizzly Peak (Ann Arbor, on Washington between Ashley and Main) brings to Ypsilanti a new sushi restaurant. Not many details from the article in the Michigan Business Review as of now, just that it will be 2,700 square feet on two floors.

2005-03-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

New Openings:
Sweet U Candy Store, South University (between East University and Church)

The blog Rabble, Rabble, Rabble... wants to know what is up with the new candy store opening on South University. Yeah, what is up with that place? The UMich themed place should fit in nicely between Ulrich's Bookstore (not to be confused with Rick's) and the Ulrich's Spirit Shop. Try going into the Spirit Shop and asking to buy some spirits.

2005-03-18T16:36:00.000-05:00

Franchise Invasion:
Great Wraps, State Street (between William and Liberty)

You know what's missing on State Street? Another franchise take-out joint. Well, suffer no more with the impending arrival of Great Wraps. The theory being that if you call the wraps great in the name, they will subconciously taste great. Maybe we can change the name of State Street to Great Street and that way when all of the local businesses get buried, it'll still seem like a great place to hang out.

2005-03-18T12:53:00.000-05:00

Restaurant Inspections:
Dinersty, Liberty Street (between Fourth and Fifth)

According to the Ann Arbor News, it seems that a truck carrying unsanitary food was stopped by police and one of the destinations that food was headed to was Dinersty. Rather than claiming that the Dinersty staff would have inspected and rejected the unsafe food (which is the claim made by the other restaurants the food was headed to), Dinersty denied that they ever had a contract with the food distributor. Which is strange since their name is listed on the invoice. Did we really need the Ann Arbor News to tell us that Dinersty was sketchy? I think we assume that risk whenever we walk through the door.

2005-03-13T14:41:00.000-05:00

Hibernation:
Eastern Accents, Fourth Avenue (between Liberty and Washington)

There is a sign out front of Eastern Accents, the Asian bakery, announcing that it is temporarily closed. If anyone has information on how temporary this closing is, please post a comment.

2005-03-13T09:59:00.000-05:00

Coming Soon:
Ikea, Canton, MI (at Ford and Haggerty Roads)

The plans are back on to open an Ikea location in Canton, according to the Free Press. A dispute arose three weeks ago over a shared parking lot but the parties have come to an agreement. The 300,000 square foot store "will feature a 300-seat restaurant, 1,100 parking spaces and a supervised children's play area."

2005-03-07T23:49:00.000-05:00

Businesses Inside of Other Businesses:
Seattle's Best Coffee (inside of Borders), Liberty Street (between State and Division)

After a few weeks of hanging a tarp where the coffee shop used to be, Borders has opened up their in-store Seattle's Best Coffee shop. It looks fancy and definitely is cheaper than Starbuck's. But doesn't really fill any coffee void in this town. I'm not quite sure there is any void to be filled.

2005-02-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

Chopping Block:
TCF Bank, South Division Street (between Liberty and Washington)

According to the Ann Arbor News, it looks like it is only a matter of time before TCF Bank moves their headquarters out of Ann Arbor. Following the recent sale of their building to McKinley (see below post), TCF gets about two years before they'll be kicked to the curb. At that point, it looks like they'll be searching for a town in Michigan with cheaper land. We hear the Upper Peninsula is nice.

2005-02-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

City News:
According to the Ann Arbor News, major changes are afoot for the TCF Bank building and its surrounding area on South Division Street (between Liberty and Washington). Included in the plans for office space and banking space are promises of new "retail shops and restaurants." It looks like the developer, McKinley, cannot resist the urge to amp up lease prices (they surmise it'll be the same as South State Street). This likely means that the only restaurants and retail shops that can afford to move in are national chains and franchises.

2005-02-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

City News:
According to the Ann Arbor News, the Downtown Development Authority has revised their parking deal with the City. Instead of paying $109,000 per year for the 279 parking spots that the DDA sells to downtown residents as permit parking (which they sell to residents at $108/month), the DDA will now be paying $1,000,000. I did my calculations and this means each spot would cost the DDA $3,584, and who knows how much they'd be selling the spots for.

I can't imagine that these numbers are right. It seems too absurdly priced, even for Ann Arbor. So please feel free to correct me on my math or shed some light on what the real deal is.

2005-02-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

Unveiled:
The Gandy Dancer, Depot and Broadway

Looks like the Gandy Dancer is owned by the same folks who own the Rainforest Cafe and Joe's Crab Shack (Lohr Road, just off Ann Arbor-Saline Road).

2005-02-20T17:27:00.000-05:00

Unveiled:
See Eyewear, State Street (between William and Liberty)

It saddens us to report that trendy, hip See is actually a division of cheap-o eyeglass chain D.O.C.

2005-02-18T17:54:00.000-05:00

The Hunt:
Liberty Lofts, First Avenue and Liberty Street

Here's an email sent out to people who sign up on the Liberty Lofts website:

Liberty Lofts is Ann Arbor's premier address for stylish in-town living.
Choose from extraordinary historic or new-construction lofts located
downtown at 1st & Liberty. Move in during 2006 & start enjoying the city's
excitement sooner!

When only the best will do, indulge yourself in leading-edge luxury at the
hot new Liberty Lofts. You'll love what you see:
*** Spectacular open floorplans with soaring ceilings ***
*** Panoramic views from huge walls of windows ***
*** Granite, hardwood & designer finishes ***
*** Private balconies & terraces ***
*** Heated indoor parking ***
*** Fitness center ***
*** & much more! ***

2005-02-18T17:51:00.000-05:00

New Openings:
Mellow Mushroom, Washington Street (between Fourth and Fifth)

The on-again, off-again signs for the opening of this pizza joint are officially "on-again." The sign out front reads "Coming Shroom." Clever. But the real question is "How Shroom?" And that is anybody's guess.

2005-02-15T09:49:00.000-05:00

From Local to Franchise:
Sweetwater's Cafe (a.k.a. Sweetwater's Coffee and Tea), Washington Street (between Main and Ashley) and coming soon to the Kerrytown Shops

The Washtenaw County edition of the Michigan Business Review a few weeks back announced Sweetwater's first franchise location, set to open in the Kerrytown Shops in April. Currently there are non-franchise locations of Sweetwater's in Saline and Royal Oak, in addition to the downtown Ann Arbor location.

2005-02-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

Franchise Invasion:
Smoothie King, Fourth Avenue (between Ann and Catherine)

Not open yet but excellent smoothies, highly endorsed. So no pissing on the franchise this time. Try the Angel Food smoothie.

2005-02-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

The Hunt:
Liberty Lofts, First Avenue and Liberty Street
Loft322, Liberty Street (between Fifth and Division)

Looks like there are two new residential buildings housing loft apartments set to open in 2006 and both will be on Liberty Street.

2005-02-13T15:19:00.000-05:00

Name Change:
Standard Federal Bank, various locations

According to Crain's Detroit Business, Standard Federal Bank is going to be changing its name to LaSalle Bank Midwest. Not very exciting but hey.