🍬 A Swedish Candy Shop Is Coming to Downtown

Morning, Ann Arbor! Art Fair week doesn't officially kick off until Thursday, but there's plenty to chew on before then: a candy shop opening on Liberty, a gelato shop coming to S Main next spring, and some news out of both the city and the university. Let's get into it.

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🍬 A Swedish Candy Shop Is Coming Downtown

Get your sweet tooth ready. Randy and Corinne Thompson plan to open Sweet Hop Swedish Candy on Aug. 1 at 203 E. Liberty St., the former home of Ginger Deli. The family-run shop will feature a pick-and-mix wall stocked with gummies, licorice, and marshmallow treats, all free of artificial dyes and many vegan or allergen-friendly. mLive

🍨 An Argentine Gelato Shop Is Scooping Into Downtown

Downtown's getting a little sweeter. Shock Gelato, which pairs Italian tradition with Argentine flair, is bringing 36 flavors, organic coffee, and fresh pastries to South Main Street. The Ann Arbor spot will be the brand's second in the country (the other is in Birmingham, Michigan, with most locations down in Argentina) and is expected to open in the spring. Shock Gelato

🎨 The Art Fair Is Finally Here

Tree Town's biggest weekend arrives July 16–18, when nearly 1,000 juried artists spread across 30 downtown blocks for the country's largest juried art fair, drawing close to half a million visitors. It's three independent fairs running as one event: the Street Art Fair (the Original), the Guild's Summer Art Fair, and the State Street District Art Fair. Hours run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Plan your route with the official fair map.

🏀 Michigan Basketball Has a New Head Coach

The search is over. Michigan promoted assistant Mike Boynton Jr. to head coach on a two-year deal, elevating the defensive coordinator who helped guide the Wolverines to their first national title in 37 years. A former Oklahoma State head coach and one of the game's top player-development minds, he fills the seat left by Dusty May's jump to the Dallas Mavericks. MGoBlue

🏛️ U-M's Top Lawyer Is Headed to Stanford

After 13 years as U-M's vice president and general counsel, Timothy Lynch is heading west to take the top legal role at Stanford, capping a tenure that guided the university through research, athletics, and academic medicine matters. Stepping into the role is Patty Petrowski, a longtime deputy general counsel and U-M Law grad who's been a key part of the office since 2014. University Record

🚧 A Guide to This Summer's Campus Construction

Expect detours around the Diag, Lorch Hall, and the Dana and Chemistry buildings this summer. Highlights: a Law Quad steam tunnel and walkway repair through October, a new Native American Garden near Hatcher Library finishing in August, Hill Auditorium's roof replacement through September, and a Lorch Hall renovation running all the way through fall 2029. University Record

🏥 U-M Nurses Reach a Tentative Contract Deal

The University of Michigan's 7,500 registered nurses have reached a tentative contract agreement, capping nine months of tense negotiations. The deal, brokered by the MNA-UM Professional Nurse Council, includes raises totaling 13.25% over three years, improved nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, stronger workplace violence protections, and a ratification bonus. Michigan Nurses Association

🎭 Civic Theatre Offers a Discount for Season Ticket Buyers

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is offering 15% off to patrons who buy tickets to all five shows in its 2026–27 season: "Jekyll & Hyde The Musical," "Machinal," "Skeleton Crew," "Matilda the Musical," and "Art of Murder." The season runs Oct. 22 through June 13, 2027, at the theater's home on W. Ann St. Service fees still apply at checkout. Grab tickets at a2ct.org

🚚🚑 U-M Chips In $1.26M for City Projects, Including a Third Ambulance

The university is putting $346,000 toward a new Ann Arbor Fire Department ambulance, approved by Council on July 6, which will give the department two ambulances available on football Saturdays and extra surge capacity for the Art Fair and Big House concerts. City of Ann Arbor

🏗️ Council Gives Early Nod to a 10-Story Building Downtown

The site of LIVE nightclub and The Last Word at 315 W. Huron St. cleared its first hurdle last week. City Council gave preliminary rezoning approval for a 10-story mixed-use building across from the Delonis Center, over the objections of some neighbors who say it's too tall for the block. A final vote is still ahead. WEMU

🎨 A Concert-Poster Festival Rolls Into Chelsea

Twenty Michigan poster artists, concert photographers, and album designers take over downtown Chelsea's Sounds & Sights Festival July 24–25 for GIG – The Art of Michigan Music, a free visual-art showcase at the Social Commons in Palmer Commons Park. Expect gallery walls of gig posters and album art, artist panels, a student design showcase from Chelsea High School, plus live music and food trucks both days. GIG

On the Market

215 Buena Vista Ave — $518,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,390 sqft - A 1925 Craftsman in the Old West Side Historic District with a wood-burning fireplace and a third-floor walk-up attic ready to be finished.

719 Sunset Rd — $574,900 4 bed | 2 bath | 1,987 sqft - 1948 Cape Cod on a roomy 0.33-acre lot in Upper Water Hill, right across from the Sunset Brooks Nature Area entrance and blocks from Hunt Park.

822 Duncan St. — $649,900 3 bed | 3 bath | 2, 315 sqft - Fully reimagined 1951 Cape Cod in the Haisley neighborhood with a full bath on every level, quartz kitchen, gas fireplace, and a finished lower level. Last sold for $485K in 2018.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Juggernaut — 7 years | Medium Female | Pit Bull Terrier Mix A shy, sensitive girl who needs a patient owner and time to come out of her shell, she'd like to be your only pet. Meet Juggernaut

Kabuto — 3 years | Medium Female | Domestic Shorthair Mix A patient, adaptable cat who'll make a great companion once she's had time to settle in; she's FeLV-positive, so best in a home without other cats. Meet Kabuto

Kinsley — 9 months | Medium Female | Beagle / Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix A quick-learning, high-energy pup who'd thrive with training and exercise, she'd like to meet any dog siblings first. Meet Kinsley

That's all for now! Stay cool out there and have a great week in Tree Town!

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team

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P.P.S. — Feel like dancing? There's a Cuban Salsa night in Kerrytown with a beginner Rueda de Casino class from 7–8 p.m., followed by Cuban music and open dancing until 10. No partner or experience needed, just show up ready to move. Donations welcome → details.

P.P.P.S. — Farmers market season is here, and our Ann Arbor tote is ready for the haul. $25 in the shop, or free at 25 referrals (grab your link at the bottom of this email) → Grab one.

P.P.P.P.S — Single-game Michigan football tickets went on general sale Saturday. Oklahoma (Sept. 12, Maize Out) starts at $195; Penn State Homecoming and Michigan State Military Appreciation start at $100; Western Michigan is the cheapest seat in the house at $60 → mgoblue.com

P.P.P.P.P.S. — Argo and Gallup liveries are in peak season, with daily hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through mid-August. Rent a kayak or canoe for a calm stillwater paddle, take the 3.7-mile Argo-to-Gallup trip through the Cascades, or grab a tube ($14) to ride the rapids and walk back up for more. No reservations needed for most options → details

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