10 Small Businesses to Support in Ann Arbor
Don’t let Ann Arbor’s favorites close!
—By Alex Ross, Jessica Norris, and Sophia Yzerman
Ann Arbor is a city that lives off of its thriving environment of small businesses. The pandemic has caused these businesses to struggle, and with winter making us dread leaving your home, some businesses will need some extra attention. Everybody sees the signs advertising takeout from local restaurants, but what about other small businesses? We all love our local cuisine and we want to support it, but other businesses need support as well. Local coffee shops, retailers, grocers, and entertainment centers need love as much as restaurants. Here are some local businesses to support during these times!
Coffee Shops
16 Nickels Arcade
Although this shop may be a little hidden, Comet Coffee is certainly a hidden treasure in Ann Arbor that is worth exploring. Located in the unique Nickels Arcade, Comet Coffee is a cozy cafe that will certainly satisfy your caffeine and bakery needs. Comet Coffee is known for their delicious French pastries, aesthetically pleasing lattes, and bagged coffee beans. Because of its concealed spot, Coffee Comet definitely needs some extra love and support amidst the pandemic. Their new walk-up window is super COVID friendly and open Monday through Saturday!
RoosRoast (117 East Liberty Street)
You can find RoosRoast Coffee in both Southtown and Downtown Ann Arbor! This life, art, and food project is no doubt a fan favorite. RoosRoast is primarily known for their home roasted, rich and decadent coffee drinks, homemade treats, and funky and creative atmosphere. Do you need a gift for Valentine’s Day? The RoosRoast is also perfect for gift giving! From Hot Chocolate Cold Brew to “Lobster Butter Love” coffee blend, it is super easy to order gifts or coffee to go on their website and pick it up safely at checkout.
Restaurants
The Lunch Room (2200 Fuller Ct)
One of the most delicious vegan restaurants in Ann Arbor, located in the heart of Kerrytown, right by Zingerman’s, The Lunch Room has your covered for a delicious healthy, vegan meal from their delicious cajun or buffalo cauliflower wings or tofu pad thai, with many more options and alcoholic beverages as well. Indoor dining is currently not available; however, you can place your order online and pick up with options of curbside pickup, and make sure to bring your mask if you are choosing to pick up your orders inside. (If you are ordering a carry out order past 3:00 pm you will pick up from Detroit Street Filling Station, 300 Detroit St.)
Chelas (307 South 5th Ave; 693 S Maple Rd)
Craving a taco similar to one you had in Mexico from that one trip you took a while back? Chela’s has you covered for all of your authentic Mexican food cravings, with delicious burritos, quesadillas, tortas, salads, and even desserts! With two locations in Ann Arbor, on S. Maple Rd and 5th Ave, you can swing by for breakfast from 10:30 am to noon, or pop in for lunch or dinner! Currently, due to COVID-19 their 5th ave location is closed, however, you can grab your carry out order from their S. Maple location and enjoy your authentic Mexican tacos from the comfort of your own home!
Stores
Verbena and Pitaya (309 S State St)
With reduced in-store shopping and mall adventures, online shopping has never been more popular. From companies like Urban Outfitters or Forever 21, more and more clothing boutiques are losing business and unable to sustain themselves. Luckily, Verbena and Pitaya are two of the few clothing stores located only a few steps away from the Diag. Both stores sell trendy, stylish, moderately priced clothing and accessories. Though they are taking extra precautions, such as limiting the amount of people in the stores at once and requiring face masks, but if you do not feel comfortable shopping in person, both storefronts have websites you can browse and order from. Next time you need some retail therapy, consider Verbena and Pitaya over national or global companies.
FOUND Gallery (415 North 5th Ave)
Are you looking for a nearby home decor and gift shop to support? Are you a lover of anything vintage? Situated in Kerrytown, FOUND is a creative and sometimes vintage home decor, gift, and jewelry store that actually features local artists! FOUND is notorious for its extraordinary merchandise and attentive customer service. From antique gems and knickknacks, to re-purposed pieces, and new items, they have an array of special goods for fantastic prices. Frankly, you could get lost in the assortment of hip and whimsical pieces showcased FOUND.
Activities
Pinball Pete’s (1214 S University Ave)
Family game night or looking for a fun date night that will take you back to the late nineties? Pinball Pete’s has everyone covered for a COVID-19 safe, affordable, and entertaining few hours over the weekend, open all day from noon to midnight. Restricting gaming machines within 6 feet of one another and enforcing wearing masks has allowed for Pinball Pete’s to continually bring entertainment to individuals in these crazy times. From the neon signs to the many pinball machines, you have endless gaming options and can trade in your winning tickets for various fun prizes!
The Ann Arbor Art Center (117 West Liberty St)
Whether you’re a fan of art, an Ann Arbor Lover, or just looking for an activity to fill your day, head over to the Ann Arbor Art Center, who has been making our community brighter, richer, and more lively for over 100 years! Located in downtown Ann Arbor, you can go peruse their dynamic, wide range of art in their gallery and check out their COVID-19 friendly opportunities of virtual art classes and shippable art boxes to keep you entertained in quarantine! Be sure to visit their new online Gallery shop if you cannot visit their location to see their available artwork for sale and other fun goodies!
Grocery Stores
Sparrow Market (407 North 5th Ave)
Sparrow Market is located in the main level of the Kerrytown building. This store is the closest relative to a supermarket in the downtown area. This store is made up of two parts, the produce market and the meat market. With one large location, Sparrow offers fresh produce, and local high-quality meats. Makes it easy to find everything you need for you and your family, and they make sure it is the best product. They are currently offering curbside pickup as well as opening their doors for regular in-person shopping.
Argus Farm Stop (1200 Packard St; 325 West Liberty St )
With two locations, one on Packard surrounded by student housing, Argus Farm Stop is a fantastic place to find local produce. Everything in store is sourced locally, coming from small producers within 50 miles of the store. Their selection includes: dairy, produce, alcohol, baked goods, and meat. They are currently offering curbside pickup as well as indoor shopping, with a limit of three customers at a time. Don’t forget to visit the cafe at the counter!
As the community struggles during these times, it is important that we take every opportunity to help uplift each other. All the businesses spoken about here are important pieces of the local economy who are dependent on us for survival. Shopping at these local establishments whenever you can is just one way that we can make our community stronger through the pandemic and beyond.
Feature photo courtesy of Brad Switzer from Unsplash.