These Ann Arbor-area businesses closed in 2020, some due to COVID-19

ANN ARBOR, MI — Several longtime Ann Arbor-area businesses have closed this year for various reasons, including the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses flexed their creative muscles to try staying afloat during a year of stay-at-home orders, government-mandated closures and social distancing brought on by COVID-19. Others shut down completely after finding their business was not feasible without daily traffic.

Here’s a list of several Ann Arbor-area businesses that have closed throughout the year.

Aut Bar

The bar catered to Ann Arbor’s LGBT community for 25 years, but owner Micah Bartelme shut it down in June. Bartelme cited declining business and costly building improvement needs between $150,000-$225,000.

Ann Arbor’s Aut Bar, longtime LGBT refuge, to close after 25 years

Espresso Royale

The popular cafe announced online in June that it did not survive the pandemic and that it would close locations in Ann Arbor, East Lansing and Madison. Owners closed all cafes in March and initially anticipated it would be temporary.

Coronavirus forces Espresso Royale to close all locations

The Lunch Room

After being temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Lunch Room Diner and Canteen, a popular vegan restaurant in Kerrytown for the last seven years, permanently closed this summer. The closure was a step toward sustainability as Owner Phillis Engelbert focuses on her other restaurants: Detroit Street Filling Station, which is expanding, and The Lunch Room Bakery and Cafe.

Lunch Room closes Kerrytown location; Eat restaurant to take over vacant space

Logan

After 16 years in business, Logan owners announced the restaurant at 115 W Washington St. in downtown Ann Arbor was closing in June. Owners Thad and Ryan Gillies also own Chow Asian Street Food around the corner.

Logan restaurant to close after 16 years in downtown Ann Arbor

Treasure Mart

After 60 years in business, a beloved antique shop in Ann Arbor closed in July. Treasure Mart sold items like pottery, rare mid-century modern furniture and unused Versace china that ranged in price from less than $1 to thousands.

While the pandemic was not the sole reason for giving up the business, Owners Carl and Elaine Johns struggled to find a buyer willing to take on the venture amid the outbreak.

With no buyer on the horizon, Ann Arbor’s treasured Treasure Mart nears closure

Arbor Brewing Company

Mike Collins closed the space at 114 E. Washington St. in Ann Arbor in June. after 25 years due to challenges from the pandemic and downtown’s changing landscape. Locations in Ypsilanti and Plymouth remain open.

Arbor Brewing Company leaving downtown Ann Arbor after 25 years

Wilma’s

Owner Sava Farah of the former restaurant at 403 E. Washington St. in Ann Arbor announced the closure in April, citing financial concerns amid the pandemic. Other factors included issues of renegotiating the lease terms with the landlord.

Downtown Ann Arbor Wilma’s restaurant closing permanently

Hollander’s

A paper and bookbinding shop in Kerrytown closed in June after nearly 30 years in Ann Arbor. Owners Tom and Cindy Hollander announced the pandemic forced them to close the 410 N. 4th Ave. shop.

Kerrytown’s Hollander’s paper shop to close after nearly 30 years

Lucky’s Market

The Colorado-based chain announced nationwide closures earlier this year, including the store at 1919 S. Industrial Highway in Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor store officially closed in February after the chain filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in January.

Lucky’s Market closing in Ann Arbor, Traverse City store remains open

Elevation Burger

A Virginia-based burger chain abruptly closed it’s locations at 3365 Washtenaw Ave. and 529 E Liberty St. in Ann Arbor in January. A notice was left on the door announcing the closures without explanation.

Elevation Burger abruptly closes Ann Arbor restaurants

Walmart

Walmart, 2515 Ellsworth Road in Ypsilanti, closed in April due to “overall financial performance,” spokesman Phillip Keene said.

New hours during Walmart closure in Ypsilanti Township

Urban Outfitters

The popular clothing retailer closed its massive downtown Ann Arbor store in mid-November but announced opening a new store in Briarwood Mall. The 10,800-square-foot property sits on the first floor of Ann Arbor’s iconic State Theatre.

What does the loss of Urban Outfitters mean for downtown Ann Arbor?

Hacker Jewelers

A Tecumseh-based jewelry shop is closing after 64 years in the area. Owners Daniel Hacker and his wife Barb decided to retire after years of selling and customizing jewelry. The store will officially close on Christmas Eve, according to their Facebook page.

Longtime Tecumseh jewelry shop closing after 64 years in area

Ollie Food and Spirits

Depot Town’s Ollie Food and Spirits did not fare through the pandemic. Owner Mark Teachout said he struggled to pivot with new restaurant rules like curbside pickup or delivery due to the nature of his business model at the 42 E Cross St. cafe in Ypsilanti and decided to close in July.

Ypsilanti’s Ollie Food and Spirits closes; owner plans to open new bar

Satchel’s BBQ

Satchel’s BBW closed its downtown Ann Arbor restaurant in August due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Owner Hugh Morgan said the pandemic forced many Ann Arbor businesses, including Satchel’s, to make “fight or flight” choices.

Satchel’s BBQ closing downtown Ann Arbor location. Coronavirus was ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’

Three Chairs Company

While the furniture store did not entirely close, it compressed its footprint in the area in June by letting go of its 208 S. Ashley St. space in Ann Arbor. Downtown Home and Garden acquired the 2,500-square-foot space to expand the store.

While some Ann Arbor businesses are closing due to coronavirus pandemic, this downtown staple is growing

Quarter Bistro

The Quarter Bistro, a popular restaurant on Ann Arbor’s west side, known to many passersby as the building with the giant garlic bulb on it, permanently closed in September after struggling with the decision for months. “For 14 amazing years The Quarter Bistro has been here to deliver tasteful Cajun dishes in a warm, family atmosphere and we served our last brunch Sept. 22nd. Thanks to all who joined us to share in the memories!” the restaurant wrote on its website.