Ann Arbor area shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues have come up with unique and creative ways to keep you safe while you enjoy shopping, dining, and activities. From curbside pick up and delivery, to online and virtual options, businesses are taking steps to ensure you have a safe experience with them.
Our partners Dave Lorenz of the globally-recognized tourism brand Pure Michigan, and Tom Daldin of Emmy award-winning PBS Show Under the Radar Michigan, teamed up to travel around Michigan and highlight how businesses are adhering to the latest protocols and beyond to keep visitors safe and healthy. During their visit to the Ann Arbor area, Tom and Dave met up with some of our friends from local businesses to discuss the ways they are keeping residents and visitors safe in their space.
See below for the video interviews including some of the area’s most iconic, local spots.
Zingerman’s Deli
With Co-Owner Ari Weinzweig
With his business partner, Paul Saginaw, Ari opened Zingerman’s Delicatessen in 1982. In a 1300 square foot, oddly shaped building you’ll find some of the best curated eats available anywhere. Known for quality and unbeatable customer service, the Zingerman’s family of businesses has grown from a small dream between friends to an Ann Arbor icon. The pandemic threw a curve ball, and Ari and the team met it with the same high standards they approach everything else. Check out the interview to hear Ari in his own words, discuss safety with Tom and Dave.
Zingerman’s family of businesses has everything from candy, to baked goods, catering, and more. Check out their mail order options to tide you over until you visit in person!
Michigan Theater
With Executive Director Russ Collins
Built in the 1920’s as a movie palace for silent films, the Michigan Theater fell into disrepair and was saved by the community starting in 1979. Host to live events, movies, and home to one of the only Academy-Award qualifying film festivals in North America (The Ann Arbor Film Festival), this beautiful theater is a must-see local landmark. Listen in to what Russ had to say to Tom and Dave about how the Michigan Theater approached keeping their patrons safe.
If you love going to the movies but aren’t yet ready to go to the theater, the Michigan Theater has the perfect option for you! The Virtual Movie Palace allows you to rent and stream films from the comfort of your own home!
The Graduate Hotel
With General Manager Jason Nelson
A premier hotel in the heart of Ann Arbor, the Graduate Hotel aims to connect with the community and tell a story, from the tables in their lounge to the art work hanging in the rooms. To make sure their guests are safe, and spaces are clean, they launched the Graduate Cares program. Socially distanced chairs, limited capacity in the lobby, and ensuring all the cleaning products used have a sanitizing effect. They’ve removing or augmenting touch points to ensure every guest has a clean and safe space to relax. Hear Jason discuss these measures in the interview with Tom and Dave below.
The theme of the the Graduate Hotel is centered around the University of Michigan with the block M along with maize and blue prominently displayed throughout the space.
Detroit Street Filling Station
With Owner Phillis Engelbert
Serving up the tastiest of vegan dishes using fresh, local ingredients, Detroit Street Filling Station has strict protocols in place for both guests and staff to keep you safe. The #1 goal for them during this pandemic is to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of everyone they interact with. No dining onsite is permitted at this time, however that has not stopped them from providing incredibly flavorful meals for pickup and delivery. Tom and Dave heard from Phillis herself, watch the video to learn more!
Whether you are vegan or not, the Detroit Street Filling Station serves up some of the tastiest food available. You must give it a try!
Axe Ventura
With Owners Shannon and Anthony
Axe Ventura gives guests the unique experience of being able to play responsibly with sharp objects. Your group is divided into two teams and compete against each other, much like a game of darts, but you’ll be throwing axes! An instructor will teach you how to have fun, be safe, and throw accurately. Your instructor will be with the group the entire session. Masks are required for the entirety of your time in the facility to ensure the safety of those around you. Hand sanitizer is provided as well. Watch the interview to see Tom throw an axe for the first time!
Schedule your axe throwing experience at Axe Ventura and have a blast, safely!
Angelo’s
With Owner Steve Vangelatos
Beginning in 1956, Steve has continued his parents’ legacy and still bakes fresh bread every day. Angelo's uses the bread for their famous French toast along with all the sandwiches on the menu. Preserving that classic diner feel, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and brunch at this iconic Ann Arbor staple. Check out the interview and hear how Steve and his team have switching things up to keep you safe while dining with them.
Offering take out and outdoor dining, as well as weekly sanitizing of the entire facility. Angelo’s is taking every precaution to make sure you have a safe and delicious experience with them.
Bivouac
With Company President AJ Davidson
A local retail store in the State Street District of Ann Arbor, Bivouac has everything to outfit you from a day on the trails to a night on the town. Every staff member is well trained and knowledgeable, able to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Shop in person, over the phone, or in their online store. Offering free curbside pick up or same day delivery for those not yet ready to venture out in public, watch the interview with AJ to discover more.
As the weather warms up, Bivouac plans to have their store offerings spill out into the great outdoors so you can shop with a breeze.
Unicorn Feed and Supply
With Owner Jen Eastridge
With an idea inspired by her childhood sticker collection filled with rainbows and unicorns, Jen Eastridge, owner of Unicorn Feed and Supply, chats with Dave and Tom about the shop's beginnings and what they’re doing now to go above and beyond adhering to safety protocols for the ultimate shopping experience.
In addition to traditional in-store shopping, the team here also offers shop calls via Facetime. Someone on staff will show you around on phone video and prepare your order for curbside pickup, allowing visitors to gain the sense of joy shopping here brings. Among so many amazing gifts and inspiring pieces, window face masks like the mask Jenn is sporting, are also available here!
Puffer Reds
With Owner Eric Williams
Did you know Puffer Reds has been in business over 40 years? Opening in 1979 and originally a music store providing the latest hip-hop, R&B and jazz albums, the shop shifted into carrying designer jeans and screen-printing their own T-shirts. Due to interest of their customers, this helped Puffer Reds grow from a small record store into a premiere apparel shopping destination. Now, Puffer Reds carries the latest apparel collections and accessories in lifestyle fashion plus exclusive sneaker drops!
The shop is stocked with sanitizer and cleaning practices have been put in place to ensure a safe shopping experience. Check out the interview with co-owner Eric Williams. David and Tom find out more info on what the shop is doing to help keep visitors safe.
734 Brewing Company
With Owners Brian and Patrick
Two college buddies set out to create craft soda eventually leading to 734 Brewing. A brewery designed to be accessible for beer lovers and novices alike. 734 Brewing Company’s passion for the Ypsilanti community showcases through their crafting specialties and collaborations with local leaders. Opening their doors in 2018, 734 crafts brews so tasty even those not into beer can order anything and like it. The menu consists of classic craft styles of beer including IPA and stout beers, and specialties like the apple wine, seltzers, and a new line of spirits.
In 2020, 734 Brewing quickly pivoted at the start of the pandemic and continued to make their beer accessible to surrounding communities by starting a delivery service bringing beer to your door. Listen in as Brian and Patrick, co-owners of 734 Brewing Company, speak with Dave and Tom about safely visiting/ordering a tasty drink from 734 Brewing.
Before visiting the Ann Arbor area, see which businesses have taken the Pure Michigan Pledge. This pledge was created to help keep Michigan visitors, businesses, and communities safe during these times. View our Coronavirus webpage to find out safety protocols and what is open in the area.
Did we miss some of your favorites? Help us highlight more businesses following safety protocols by commenting below.
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