Perhaps it's just my imagination, but it seems like there's been a lot of new action going on in downtown store fronts over the past few weeks.
*Biggie's going in where Sunday's used to be (first block of N. Washington). Anyone know if this is a replacement to their place at Hamilton and Spring or second location? Anyone ever eaten there? They have a neon sign in the window that says "open" but the interior indicates that they're not quite open for business yet.
*Dreamland Theater's new location on N. Washington is reportedly close to being ready for the public. Don't know much more than that, but I'm excited about their new location downtown.
*VG Kids new location on Michigan Ave has had a sign up in the window for a month or two, anyone know when that will be open?
Seems like there is a 4th place opening up or moving to downtown, but it's left my brain for the moment.
I'm curious to hear what the gossip is on the street about all the recent action downtown.
I think it's totally great. Looks like the Mongolian BBQ, owned by Cutis who also owns Pub 13 and other places, is going to open in May, so that should also be cool. And a grocery story is opening on Michigan Near Hamilton (I have more about that on the SOS blog.
I've heard good things about the new DDA director who is trying to really get something going downtown, so perhaps he is also providing some of the boost?
I think Peter of Bombadill's is the DDA director (or maybe I'm thinking of something else). He seems like he'd be great for spurring interest in downtown.
I can't believe I forgot about the grocery store! And that wasn't even the 4th place I was thinking about....
All very exciting!
Actually, I was talking about Brian Vosburg, who is the Director of the Ypsi DDA. There was recently an article about him. in the Ann Arbor News. But Peter rocks, too.
Peter is a great guy - and so is Brian. Both of them work very hard on promoting downtown Ypsi. I did notice that a few buildings are going up for auction. I think the buildings are currently vacant - so auctioning them off can't hurt. Does anyone know anything more about the buildings? I also heard that the building across the street from the Mongolian Grill (the hair salon) has went into forclosure and might be sold, too? Hopefully these will lead to good changes on Michigan.
There's Iron Mountain Books, on Adams across from the B-College. It's pretty focused on college textbooks, and so far more a re-buyer than even a general textbook store. The owner owns a fullscale textbook store in...Marquette, I think?, but lives in Ypsi, so he's got some experience, plus the local tie.
The buildings up for auction have been mostly vacant for quite some time. There was a used bookstore in the part nearest Bombadill's until late last summer. There's still a hair place in the middle section.
The building across from Mongolian - the hair salon and Heikks - was foreclosed upon, but there's some amount of redemption period before the bank can even start listing it for sale. 3 or 6 months, I can't remember how long for a commercial property. Note that Heikks is gone from that space, but he's opened up across the street in the Heritage Building (old Citizens Bank).
On the other side of things, I notice that the little barber shop underneath the Vu has closed. Not to be a downer - the net score is still positive...
there's a sign in the window of the biggie's location at hamilton and spring saying they're moving because michigan works is expanding. haven't eaten there yet but i've been curious to check 'em out -- especially now that they'll be within walking distance! i can only assume they've cleaned over the past few days and now they're moving in, as they had two trucks parked out in front of the building this afternoon.
the dreamland theater will be open this friday, saturday, and sunday for totally awesome fest 3. guess they planned to open much earlier in the year but ran into some slowdowns when it came to inspections and such. not sure if this weekend will only be a 'sneak preview' or if they're going to be open regularly from now on, though.
more info about TAF3 is available at www.weretwins.com, by the way. huge variety of local and not-so-local musicians -- for free, at that!
does anyone have any further info regarding progress on the upcoming mexican market on michigan near abe's? all i've read about it so far is what has been mentioned on the board already... curious to hear what other mexican market it shares ownership with -- maybe the honeybee?! -- and to see if there's an estimated date for opening.
edit: you're almost correct, murph. the bookstore is called iron city book store. the branch in marquette carries text books and used records and cds. very cool store! it's owned by someone from the band thrall...
Brad,
Are you talking about the heavy metal/punk band Thrall?
wildchild -- yup!
know i read an article about the connection between the owner of iron city and thrall in nmu's student paper "the north wind" a while back ago, but i'm not having any luck with finding the article online right now... do know that the metro times profile of thrall mentions an ypsi address, at the very least!
Brad,
Thank you :) Do you know if they are any good??
i've only heard one of their records -- lifer, released on alternative tentacles in 2003 -- and it wasn't really up my alley... i remember thinking the all music guide review wasn't too far off -- it says they're sort of a cross between the jesus lizard, the dead kennedys, and crass. post-punk with more of an emphasis on the punk, i guess.
Geez- I haven't heard of ANY of those groups! I guess I can search the net- I am more rock then punk so thanks for the heads up :)
Mike Hard - the vocalist from THE GOD BULLIES, then THRALL, then THE BRAIN SAW - owns Iron City Books. He has a store up north, and also still lives down here and opened one on Adams, just across from EMU's business school.
All are immensely fun bands to see live, if you had/have the chance. THE BRAIN SAW is the only one that is currently active - and they seem to be on hiatus for a while.
thanks for the clarification, brian!
for anyone who was planning on checking out the dreamland tonight, bad news. apparently they're still waiting on a certificate of occupancy and, as such, festivities had to be moved. info on tonight's new venue should be available at the weretwins link above and/or at the dreamland.
briancors,
Thank you for adding the links! :)
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