retail businesses

Voters in Ann Arbor have passed two proposals that will change the future of what many call the "Library Lot." The city-owned property will eventually house a mixed-use development with housing and retail, a new library and about 10,000 feet of open space. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor has been a strong proponent of the plan and advocated for passage of Proposals A and B. He joined WEMU's David Fair to share his takeaways and how the plan will move forward from here.

Voters in Ann Arbor will render a final decision on two ballot proposals on August 5th. Proposals A and B would approve the sale of city owned land for a new downtown library. Opponents say the city is reneging on its promise to turn the land into an urban park and civic commons called the “Center of the City.” And now, a lawsuit accuses the City of “perpetrating a fraud upon the electorate” through misleading ballot language. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor explores what has become a contentious issue in an off-year summer election.

Some Detroit-based small business owners say President Donald Trump’s frequently changing tariff strategy is backing them into a corner. Colin Jackson has more.

The Ann Arbor Planning Commission has approved changes to two major developments in town. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

Farmington Hills-based Schafer Development is eyeing a 50-acre plot of farmland in Pittsfield Township for a mixed-use development project. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Plans are coming into focus for what could be one of the biggest housing developments in Ann Arbor history. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

Born and raised in Jiangsu, China, Isabel Wang’s fascinating journey to becoming a full-time leather artisan and starting her business, Arbor Trading Post, is by way of 7,000 miles and a Ph.D. in biochemistry. Meet Isabel and hear her story when she joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

The old DTE coal-gasification site along the Huron River is about to undergo a massive transformation. It is to be converted into the new, seven-acre, Broadway Park West. It is to include new mixed-use development for housing and retail with more greenspace and community connectivity. Still, there are environmental issues and concerns to be addressed. Marie Klopf is president of the Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy, and she joined WEMU's David Fair with up-to-date progress information.

While society appears to be slowly coming out of COVID pandemic mode, the reality for many retailers is that the impact of the pandemic may be with them for a while. WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media reporter Rylee Barnsdale hear how Ypsilanti area businesses are working to overcome pandemic challenges. One of those business owners is Jen Eastridge, who runs Unicorn Feed & Supply, as well as Stone & Spoon, and she joins Cathy and Rylee to talk about how the pandemic affected how she ran her establishments.

Downtown Ann Arbor retailers are seeing a return to pre-pandemic holiday sales numbers. That’s the word from the head of a local retailer's group. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.