OT: Is Ann Arbor Becoming Lame?

Submitted by Thrillhouse on
It started when School Kids Records closed it's location on Liberty and was forced to move to the basement of Bivouac. I think it was replaced by some kind of Ice Cream Shop. Next, Dave's Books, which I always thought was an Ann Arbor landmark, moved from Liberty and State to a lame location under Maynard House apartments. It was replaced by Potbelly's. Maybe the fact that the owner was paying heroin addicts to steal books from Borders had something to do with that one, I don't know. Kaleidoscope, which was a great book store/poster store/1960s burnout memorabilia store next to Urban Outfitters was recently forced to move to Kerrytown.

There was another great record store on the corner of Liberty and State whose name escapes me - it's one that Iggy Pop supposedly worked at - I think it got bought by Sam Goody or something when I was a freshman, and now it's gone too. The year before I came to school, Tower Records closed. Those were chain stores, but decent places none the less.

Slowly, NYPD is taking over a four mile stretch on East Williams. Pizza House I think is now a sports bar. I think I even heard a rumor that they were going to stop allowing people to free base crack in the bathrooms at the Fleetwood.

How much longer until Wazoo, Encore, and Underground Sounds are gone for good? It seems every time I come back to town, I'm greeted with the fact that places I once loved are on the fritz or entirely gone and the only development involves luxury condos and chains that only belong in the burbs like BW3s.
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chunkums

October 6th, 2008 at 7:26 PM ^

So because the college town you knew and loved is not the exact same as when you were there it is now lame?  Believe me, it's far from lame.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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msoccer10

October 7th, 2008 at 10:13 AM ^

things constantly change and while I know it can be shocking (what the fuck is up with the blue leprechaun! I want Touchdowns back, even though I never liked the place that much) Ann Arbor is still awesome. I moved back here with my wife a few months ago, also a class of 97 grad, and it was the best decision we've probably ever made.

Joined: 08/29/2008

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BlueStructure

October 8th, 2008 at 10:32 PM ^

I think that A2 is still a unique college town.  I have visited and lived in other college campuses (such as Univ of Texas at Austin, touted as an electic place).  I think A2 still ranks among the most unique.  Yes we have Potbelly and Starbucks and crappy places like that, but compared to other cities it's still very independent.  You know those 'fancy' townhouses at Packard/State?  In other campuses anything  within walking distance of campus looks like that.  Nice but devoid of character and affordable only to those riding a wave of their parents' money.

Joined: 08/23/2008

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ShockFX

October 6th, 2008 at 7:38 PM ^

" I think I even heard a rumor that they were going to stop allowing people to free base crack in the bathrooms at the Fleetwood."

Hhahahahahahahhaahhaahahahahah.  Well played sir.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

Thrillhouse

October 6th, 2008 at 7:40 PM ^

chunkums - it's not that the exact same stuff isn't there, it's the type of stuff they're building (ice cream parlor after ice cream parlor, low grade eateries with the word "bistro" slapped in the title, etc). And if I wanted chains I'd hang out near my parent's house or go to East Lansing. Dammit, I knew I was going to come off sounding like a crusty old-timer.

Also, not that anyone seems to care, but the store I was trying to remember was called Discount Records.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1121

PattyMax64

October 6th, 2008 at 7:45 PM ^

The great part about living in Ann Arbor is that it changes with the time.  Those places may have meant a lot to you and people of "your generation" are great I'm sure, but they have been replaced by places that mean as much to my generation.  I would be willing to bet that before you lived in A2, there were landmarks that were just as important to those before you that were knocked down to make room for School Kid's Records and others.  The city is a living breathing thing, and establishments are born and die with it.  I have lived in town my entire life, and I have watched it change.  I miss some things (anyone remember that Mexican restaurant on Stadium, that place was good!) and I am glad some new things have come (Happy's Pizza Anyone?, Quicky Burger).  Change is a natural part of life, and there are some things that will never change (Blimpy Burger, Stucchis, Pizza Bob's).  All in all, I think Ann Arbor is the same place you left, just with a bit of a facelift and a little Botox.

Joined: 07/21/2008

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mooseman

October 6th, 2008 at 8:00 PM ^

I hadn't thought about School Kids in years. Whenever I see the threads about places to eat, etc., I don't recognize half of them any more. PM64 is right, though. No one will ever take away memories like seeing Buddy Guy or Matt Murphy at Ricks and I have the hearing loss to prove it.

Ease up on that "your generation" stuff, though.

Joined: 07/10/2008

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jayballs

October 6th, 2008 at 8:07 PM ^

to PJ's Used Records, above the Subway near Hill/Packard.  I never understood how he stayed in business, but he does, since he was still there this fall when I visited THE GLORIOUS CITY OF ANN ARBOR.  You don't know how good you've got it, residents.  Seriously.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 69

Thrillhouse

October 6th, 2008 at 9:46 PM ^

PJs records is pretty cool, mostly because the owner is weird as balls. One day I went in there and he had really long hair. The next time I want in, which was like a month later, he was bald. Not shaved head bald, but I Can't Grow Hair On My Head Anymore bald. I realized that his long hair was really just a fucking crazy long comb over.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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WolverSwede

October 6th, 2008 at 8:08 PM ^

These businesses either moved elsewhere or shut down because they couldn't afford to stay open where they were.  Ann Arbor is super expensive.  This is like the "i hate wal-mart; it eats people thing".  If you want some unique store on State and Liberty that sells random things that people like to look at but never buy, then you should open one up.  Just dont expect to make any money.   

Joined: 07/28/2008

MGoPoints: 301

chitownblue (not verified)

October 6th, 2008 at 8:08 PM ^

PattyMax, I may not be of "your generation" (I graduated 8 years ago), but I sorta hope that the Ben and Jerry's and Potbelly's that came in place of the places os is referring to don't "mean much" to your generation. I realize that places I liked are going to get torn down, and that makes sense. It's the fact that these cool, independent, quirky businesses are getting torn down and replaced by corporate chains, like B&J and Potbellys (FTR: I like Potbellys).

This isn't, however, isolated to Ann Arbor - look at every town. If you go to Austin, there's a huge initiative for the city to buy vacant storefronts before corporations can move chains in. It's what happens in the past few decades - corporate business pushes out small businesses.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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PattyMax64

October 6th, 2008 at 8:35 PM ^

I'm not talking about Ben & Jerry's and such.  America is becoming more corporate as a whole.  What you remember about Ann Arbor is most likely the "chilling" at these places, and the fun you had there.  We will all look at out High Schools in a different way then those who were miserable there (assuming you liked high school).  For those who hang out at Digital Ops, that is where they will have their fondest memories.  For those who hang out in the Quad (yes those creepers can have feelings too, I mean come on, do you have to dress up like that every day, its weird man) they will always adore that space.  When I visit my old elementary school, I feel sad that it has changed to the degree it has, but I know that it will always be the same in my mind, where it matters most.  I really hope all of you can accept the new Ann Arbor as your own, that is fine.  But try to see it as the same town as before, with only a few minor adjustments.

Joined: 07/21/2008

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hat

October 6th, 2008 at 8:23 PM ^

The main thing that concerns me about A2 is the number of expensive apartment complexes that are popping up right around campus.  Few students can afford to live in these places.   I'm concerned that they are slowly being priced out of their own town.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15

turbo cool

October 6th, 2008 at 8:34 PM ^

a2 is not lame because:

1) getting caught with tree is still only a slap on the wrist compared to anywhere else

2) further reinforcing #1, the cops are NOT tough in ann arbor. for instance, if you think they are, then go to east lansing. its routine to see people get maced up there.

3) big ten burrito, panch, no thai, za's, pizza house, and bell's pizza are all you need to eat for 4, maybe 5 years. 

4) sgt. peppers; just the fact that it lies in the heart of the student neighborhood is awesome. i mean, it only caters to students and it's single purpose is to intoxicate every student, regardless of age. this may just be a student of michigan point, but whatever. 

5) there are many facets to a2 nightlife. you can goto south U (or skeeps) for the ridiculous undergrad scene, or class it up a bit on main street if you must, or if you're a hippie you can goto the other side of main street to bars like circus and monkey bar. you'll probably find brian there.

6) although hippies normally smell, are lost and confused. they are now the people who run the city and having them in charge makes things real lax. so while people of your generation were probably the hippies, they've grown up to run this joint'. which leads me to my last reason as to why a2 is not lame...

7) getting caught with tree is still only a slap on the wrist compared to anywhere else. and extremely easy to purchase/find/have in minutes.

 

oh and dominicks is beautiful and nobody else has it but us

Joined: 07/10/2008

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chunkums

October 6th, 2008 at 8:31 PM ^

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh.  Granted, there was a lot of character in those old places, but some of the new ones have a bit of their own street cred.  There's something about that 4am trip to Quickie Burger, or that game of shuffleboard aided by copious amounts of Margaritas at the Cantina.  Ann Arbor still has character, just a different kind of character.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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jayballs

October 6th, 2008 at 8:53 PM ^

I was in the music school at UM. i lived on central campus 3 out of 5 years, i lived across the river from the Med Center one year (behind the pool/soccer fields), and in the North Campus Co-op during my hippie/socialist phase.  All had their merits, but it's absolutely possible to live in town/central campus and take classes on North Campus.  Become friends with the shuttles, and plan your schedule carefully.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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Thrillhouse

October 6th, 2008 at 9:55 PM ^

I lived on North Campus my last two years. I hated it. There was nothing to do but run away from skunks and walk to Hollywood Video.

This was way back in 2004 though. I've driven through North Campus on a number of occasions since and I gotta say - though the exterior has gotten a very minor facelift, I can tell the seedy underbelly is still there. And by seedy underbelly, I'm talking about asian grad students playing XBox and watching television.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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Noah

October 6th, 2008 at 9:45 PM ^

No - it's beautiful, it's quiet, and there are some fantastic groceries and restaurants if you know where to look.  And you certainly don't need a car.  I didn't realize how great UM's bus system was until I left.  Sure, there's not much nightlife, but that's why the buses run till 3am on the weekends.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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chunkums

October 6th, 2008 at 8:51 PM ^

I started out in Engineering and lived in Markely and it wasn't a problem at all.  I've had several friends on the other hand who lived on north as freshmen and had a great time.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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maracle

October 6th, 2008 at 9:08 PM ^

Well, I see your point.  Local businesses do add a lot of character to a city.

But losing the record stores was basically inevitable.  That's more of an industry problem than an Ann Arbor problem.  Someone mentioned PJs, which is pretty damn cool.  I also can't figure out how you stay in business selling records for a dollar.

Joined: 08/31/2008

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Sommy

October 6th, 2008 at 9:42 PM ^

I'd heard that McKinley is looking to purchase the land that Encore is located on because they wanted to expand the building that Bar Louie is in.

Wazoo has been doing pretty well, from what I've heard.

Joined: 07/29/2008

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Tacopants

October 6th, 2008 at 11:27 PM ^

Record stores everywhere are going under.  Independent record stores are/will have a hard time with digital music and everything.  It's not just in Ann Arbor, they're going out of business everywhere.  They're not really a fair example.

Joined: 07/06/2008

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