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Morning, Ann Arbor! U-M classes start today, and for the first time since New Year's, A2 teachers walk in with a deal on the table. We've also got a wave of new restaurants opening downtown, and you're hearing it here first, so you can be the friend who actually knows what's going on around town. This week is jam packed. Alright, let's dive in.

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🍔 Blimpy Is Back In October, With Beer and Ice Cream

Operating partner Doug Botsford put a date on it: Krazy Jim's reopens at 304 S. Ashley in October, after going dark in March. The original artwork stays, the original recipe stays, the vendors stay, and the meat grind is exactly the same. What's new is more hours, more seats, a new sound system, and, for the first time, ice-cold beer and ice cream. Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

🎒Teachers And The District Reached A Tentative Deal

Ann Arbor Public Schools and the Ann Arbor Education Association announced a tentative contract agreement on Aug. 25, after teachers spent most of the year working without one. Superintendent Jazz Parks shared the news with families; AAEA president Fred Klein said the details stay under wraps until members and then the school board vote. Both votes were still in progress as of Friday. WEMU 

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🍳Juicy Kitchen Is Open Again After 11 Months

The brunch spot at 1506 N. Maple Road reopened Thursday morning, closing out a very long year. A merchandise freezer caught fire in the dining room in September 2025 and did roughly $500,000 in damage, and owners Aaron and Kelby Ziola have been rebuilding ever since. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. This past week was their busiest week in restaurant history. Check out Juicy Kitchen for a delicious, healthy breakfast, you won’t regret it!

🛍️L.L.Bean Sets October 16 For Briarwood

The Maine outfitter finally has a date. The store opens Oct. 16 at 204 Briarwood Circle, across from the newly reopened Apple Store and near Dick's, in a space of nearly 20,000 square feet. This is only the second L.L.Bean in Michigan; the first opened at Partridge Creek in 2016.  LL Bean

🎓More Students Are Living On Campus Than Ever Before

U-M moved in more than 10,000 undergrads between Aug. 22 and Aug. 30, and this is now the most students living in Michigan Housing in the university's history. Credit Wolverine Village, the new complex that added about 2,300 beds and roughly 25% more undergraduate housing capacity. Classes start today. Expect the Diag, the buses and every coffee line to feel it. The University Record 

🚶🏻Ann Arbor Is The 12th Best City In America For Living Car-Free

A new CoworkingCafe study ranked 114 cities on how livable they are without a car, and Ann Arbor came in 12th, behind New York, San Francisco and D.C. but ahead of a lot of places with subways. The reason is walking: 13% of residents walk to work, nearly double the 7.2% who take the bus. The city also has 35.3 miles of shared-use paths. CoworkingCafe

🏠The Felch Street House The City Wanted Is Back On The Market

124 Felch St. is listed again at $395,000 after the city and the owner could not agree on a price. The city has wanted the three-bedroom house for years to clear a structure out of the Allen Creek floodway and open a wider path for the Treeline trail toward 721 N. Main. FEMA rules capped the city's offer at the 2024 appraisal of $256,000, and that grant program has since been discontinued. Zillow

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🍕 The Stubborn Brother's Slice Kitchen Is Now Open

Update for pizza lovers: The Stubborn Brother, the Toledo spot Barstool's Dave Portnoy called "the best college campus pizza I've ever had," just got occupancy approval and its slice kitchen is officially open. Grab a New York-style slice this weekend (Friday 4–9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.), with regular takeout hours starting today, Monday, Aug. 31. The main dining room and bar are hoping to open Sept. 2, pending final inspections. Stubborn Brother

🍨The Vegan Soft Serve Inside Blom Is Still Going

Cold Truth has been running its soft serve counter inside Blom Meadworks at 100 S. Fourth Ave. since April 1, and the residency runs seven months, so you have got until roughly the end of October. Owner Tim Mahoney's base is coconut cream shipped from Southeast Asia and Michigan beet sugar, which is why the texture lands closer to custard than to ice cream. The flavor board rotates, so do not go in with a plan. Current Magazine 

🥙 Beloved Mediterranean Spot Alloush Grill Is Coming Downtown

Alloush Grill, the Livonia Lebanese favorite with a 4.7-star reputation and a cult following, is moving into the former TAQ space downtown (TAQ relocated next door). Fans rave about the warm brick-oven pita, creamy hummus, and standout lamb kafta and chicken tawook. Expect generous portions, plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Detroit's Eater even lists it among the area's best Lebanese restaurants. Alloush Grill

🫧Bubble Fest Comes Back To Lower Town On September 20

Put it on the calendar: free, all ages, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Broadway Park West, 841 Broadway St. Leslie Science & Nature Center runs the hands-on tables, Tree Town Sound handles music, Detroit Circus turns up with something surprising, and there are food trucks and ice cream. Lower Town Ann Arbor

On the Market

326 S 7th St — $494,900 3 bed | 1 bath | 980 sqft - A 1920 west-side home near Waterworks Park with original hardwood floors, a 2025 kitchen remodel, an updated bath, two walk-in closets and a backyard patio with garage storage. Last sold for $311K in 2015

1213 W Liberty St — $565,000 3 bed | 1 bath | 1,440 sqft - A 1925 Old West Side home with original hardwood floors, unpainted wood trim, built-ins and a fireplace, plus a walk-up attic, second-floor sleeping porch and private backyard. Last sold for $378.9K in 2015.

549 4th St — $650,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,595 sqft - A 1919 Old West Side brick home with original built-ins, hardwood floors and a serious kitchen, plus a back patio just steps from Wurster Park, Washtenaw Dairy and Jefferson Market. Last sold for $500K in 2021.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Anna — 4 years 10 months | Medium Spayed Female | Domestic Shorthair. A sensitive, shy girl who takes time to warm up, but rewards patience with a special bond. Meet Anna. 

Bailey — 3 years 7 months | Large Neutered Male | Siberian Husky / Dalmatian. A shy pup looking for a patient, quieter home where he can take his time getting comfortable. Meet Bailey

Autumn — 13 years 2 months | Medium Spayed Female | Domestic Shorthair Mix. A sweet, laidback senior who would love a warm lap, good food, and a quiet home to enjoy her golden years. Meet Autumn 

That's all for now! Have a great week in Tree Town!

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team

P.S. - If you aren’t following us on Instagram yet, we are hurt but there is still time to make it right. → Michigander IG

P.P.S. - Sweetwaters is pouring on North Campus now, tucked into Pierpont Commons at 2101 Bonisteel Blvd., open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and the fall menu is already up if you are the kind of person who wants a Great Pumpkin Latte before Labor Day. Sweetwaters

P.P.P.S. - The Street Art Encounter returns to downtown Main Street on Friday, Sept. 11, noon to 8 p.m., with more than a dozen artists painting murals right there in the street while people eat dinner around them, and it is free to walk through. Main Street

P.P.P.P.S. - Festifall takes over the Diag on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. with more than 900 student groups trying to hand you a flyer, which is either the best or the worst crossing of campus you will make all year. Festifall

P.P.P.P.P.S. - A new kind of hangout landed on South U. Dough Objects, part bakery, part café, part listening bar, is now open at 1116 South U, Suite A. Fresh-baked goods, coffee, and good records spinning, daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. @doughobjects

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - Matthaei is running a free Wonder Walk on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. out past Dix Pond and along the Fen boardwalk, and they suggest real shoes because it is one of the longer trails. Wonder Walk

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