Are we truly at the limits for pot-related businesses in Ann Arbor? Seems like regional hydroponics retailer The Cultivation Station had barely moved into the old S-G Auto Parts space, but it’s gone now:
I mentioned the closing of Moe Sport Shops previously but here’s the North University storefront:
Once upon a time, Moe sold sporting goods and uniforms. In recent years, it had pivoted to U-M spirit wear, and was acquired from Bud Van De Wege by local print shop Underground Printing. Parallel to this, UGP was developing its own boutique-y brand based around Bo Schembechler. UGP sold Moe to U-M’s official store The M Den last year, and it was basically just another storefront for them. Finally, downtown will get its Jamba Juice. (I don’t know, I just guess)
Another report from A2RS field agent Lex, who goes downtown when I can’t:
Schakolad, the boutique chocolate, recently closed on Washington Street. I think they raised the rent. The Observer reports that the franchisee is interested in returning to A2 sometime (when time travel is invented, probably sometime prior to the bubble).
Meanwhile, at Liberty and Thompson, half of Orchid Lane is now a yoga studio!
You can see Orchid Lane on the left there – still open! It was supposed to close permanently over the summer, but they negotiated a one-year extension with their landlord and are continuing the business until August 2019.
Longtime townies remember this space as Thano’s Lamplighter, a Greek & pizza restaurant, and Eric’s Action Sports, a soccer-supply store. If you don’t remember them, it’s hard to believe we had so many stores with specific purposes. I’m thinking of course of Eric’s, but also of The Bead Gallery (RIP), and Honig’s Whistle Stop, a referee-supply store which used to be out on Jackson Road. Sounds awfully specific, I know, but think about all the sports that are played here. U-M, Eastern, Concordia all have athletic programs; Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, and surrounding townships all have recreational leagues; I’m sure there are many other leagues I am not aware of.
Honig’s Whistle Stop ran the leading outfitter for sports officials, as a mail-order catalog and a physical retail store with fitting rooms, in an otherwise unassuming building on Jackson Road in Scio Township for over 30 years. Here’s a fun ESPN profile of Dick Honig to commemorate his retirement. Honig sold the business to another referee, who operates it entirely online now.
For decades, nearly half a million sports officials purchased their gear and supplies from a business in Ann Arbor — but maybe not all of them used the gear on field? A long time ago I was an IT contractor at General Motors, working on the new Intranet. I worked nearby a permanent EDS employee who had somehow managed to skirt GM’s business-casual dress code with the shiniest black-on-black Nikes I had ever seen:
It wasn’t until years later that I realized Todd (not his real name) was wearing referee sneakers to work every day. This story brought to you by the beautifully broken English labeling at the State Street 7-Eleven:
In related news, and finally, here’s the latest on the Circle K at Packard and Stadium:
The islands are nearly ready for the fuel pumps. The corner of the rain shelter has been restored to the proper angle (previously it looked like a truck hit it), so the complete red and orange cladding is probably coming any day now. Inside the building there are high signs over each station promoting “Polar Pop” (fountain drinks), “Really Good Coffee,” and “Froster” (the Circle K version of a Slurpee or Icee).
I have been selected to “go deep” on the Circle K at Ignite Ann Arbor on November 2 at AADL. I have dreamed for years of doing an Ignite talk, so this is a huge thrill for me. If you’ve been to an Ignite, you know I only have five minutes to “go deep,” and there are a number of other brilliant presenters, so it will still be worth your time.
I would like to thank the selection committee: