🌽 Cornman Farms is leaving Zingerman's. Here's who's taking over.

Morning, Ann Arbor! The only thing that could’ve topped this weekend’s weather was a Michigan win, more on that later. Two local institutions are changing hands: Cornman Farms is leaving the Zingerman’s family after 12 years, and Seva’s owners are looking for a buyer for the 53-year-old vegetarian spot (it’s not closing). Elsewhere, part of the Gallup Park trail is literally sinking, Briarwood’s getting a makeover, and the city opened its first new fire station since 1981. Halloween’s on Saturday and we’ll hit 70 again this week, who’s got it better than us? Let’s roll!

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🌽Cornman Farms Is Getting New Owners
After 12 years in the Zingerman's Community of Businesses, the Dexter farm is going independent under Brian and Lori Herron, who founded Social Vines Vineyard & Winery up the road, with KaTina Hannah Blanchard as general manager. The name stays and so do the weddings, but vendors are a la carte now instead of off a house list. A vineyard goes in spring 2027, with wine tastings and chef pop-ups in the farmhouse after that. Open house is Saturday, Nov. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. Cornman Farms

🏈 Michigan’s Offense Stalls Out in Overtime Loss to Indiana
A rough one at the Big House. Michigan’s defense played well enough to win, but the offense couldn’t find the end zone all day, and the Wolverines fell 13-6 in overtime to defending national champ Indiana. The low points were brutal: a goal-line trick play that lost 13 yards, a shanked chip-shot field goal, and two Tommy Carr turnovers. The defense forced the game to overtime, but Indiana scored quickly and Michigan’s last gasp fell just out of bounds. The loss drops the Wolverines to 4-3 (1-3 Big Ten). Next up: a road trip to Rutgers. Maize n Brew

🏪 Briarwood Is Getting a Real Glow-Up
Simon is rebuilding the center court with new tile, lighting and seating people actually want to sit in, plus a play area, landscaping and new signage at all five entrances. Sephora and Warby Parker arrive in early 2027 and Lululemon lands next to Apple in the spring, on top of Harvest Market and The Harlan apartments next door. MLive

🚒 The First New Fire Station Since 1981 Just Opened
Engine 1-4 has moved into the rebuilt Fire Station No. 4 at Huron Parkway and Platt, Michigan's first net-zero fire station, running on geothermal and solar. City of Ann Arbor

TODAY'S SPONSOR: UMS

🎭 UMS: Jack Tucker is a catastrophically overconfident stand-up comedian with hacky punchlines, misplaced swagger and a desperate need to be adored. He is also the alter ego of Zach Zucker, who trained at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in France, the same clown school that turned out Sacha Baron Cohen and Emma Thompson. His Stamptown Comedy special hit Netflix in August. Five performances, Nov. 18 through 22 at the Arthur Miller Theatre, with a post-show Q&A on opening night. Mature audiences. Get tickets at UMS

🥬 Seva's Owners Are Looking for the Next Steward
Maren and Jeff Jackson have run Seva for almost 30 years and want to retire, but to be clear, it is not closing. They are looking for a buyer at $495,000 who will keep the 53-year-old vegetarian restaurant going. Seva

🎓 U-M’s Endowment Hits $25 Billion as Enrollment Bucks the State Trend
U-M’s long-term portfolio returned 20.7% in fiscal 2026, pushing the endowment from $21.2 billion to $25 billion, now ninth-largest in the country (though 85th per student). The university paid out $569 million last year, with about 30% going to scholarships and 22% to patient care. Public university enrollment across Michigan fell 2% this fall, the first statewide drop in three years, but U-M grew 1% to its record 54,000+ students. The University Record

🏗️ 307 Apartments Are Coming Next to Trader Joe's
Council voted 9-0 to approve a brownfield tax-capture plan for 2424 E. Stadium Blvd., the old University Inn site at the Stadium/Washtenaw split. It covers 295 units in a six-story building plus 12 townhomes, with 62 apartments income-restricted and more than $2.5 million going to the city's affordable housing fund. The plan identifies $29.8 million in reimbursable costs plus $5.5 million for work on the intersection itself. The county and the state still have to sign off. MLive

🏛️ 7 Updates From the Oct. 19 Council Meeting

City Council approved buying 124 Felch St. (up to $393,400) to clear a floodway structure for the Treeline trail, converting Carey Street to one-way northbound for bike-lane safety, and banning the sale and use of glue traps for catching animals like rodents and birds (insects and spiders excepted), effective 60 days after publication. They also made small-business support a formal city priority, backed expanding geothermal heating in city buildings, asked the Planning Commission to draft denser zoning near downtown and Central Campus, and adopted a “bill of rights” affirming that people experiencing homelessness can access public spaces without discrimination. City of Ann Arbor

🌳 The B2B at Gallup Park Is Sinking

Sinkholes are forming under the Border-to-Border Trail between Geddes Dam and the fishing pond, where three culverts built in the early 1900s have reached the end of their lifespan. Deputy Parks Manager Scott Spooner says a heavy enough rain could collapse the walkway. Engineers have a temporary fix in while the city works out a permanent one, so watch for signage if you run that stretch. WEMU

🎬 Free Movies Are Back at the Michigan Theater

The city's sustainability office and Marquee Arts are bringing back the Cinema and Sustainability series, free for everyone, opening Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. with "A Place at the Table." It runs monthly through March, with "Happy Feet" and "WALL-E" as kid matinees in February and March. Here's the insider part: show up at 6 before the November or December film for a Climate Café, a small-group conversation that takes registration and fills fast. City of Ann Arbor

On the Market

908 Willow St — $464,900 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,369 sqft - A 1920 Craftsman in the Old West Side near West Park, with original hardwood floors, a fireplace, updated kitchen and bathrooms, plus a sunny three-season porch and attached garage.

1490 Pear St — $512,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,538 sqft - A renovated 1956 home near the U-M Medical Center with hardwood floors, a gas fireplace, updated kitchen and screened porch, plus a fenced backyard with raised garden beds and berry bushes.

1914 Scottwood Ave — $1,750,000 5 bed | 4 bath | 3,673 sqft - A 1927 brick Georgian in Ives Woods, built for the founder of Interlochen’s music camp, with two fireplaces, a sunroom, and a bluestone patio with an outdoor kitchen and gas fire pit.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Bruce — 2 months | 11 lbs Neutered Male | Pit Bull Terrier. This confident, playful puppy loves breakfast, playing with his brother Mickey, and curling up in a lap. Meet Bruce

A Proper Gentleman — 5 months | 5 lbs Neutered Male | Domestic Shorthair. This shy, sweet kitten is looking for a quiet home where he can settle in at his own pace. Meet A Proper Gentleman.

Cobweb Cutie — 3 months | 16 lbs Spayed Female | Hound. An adorable puppy who arrived through HSHV’s Love Train rescue program and is ready to find her forever home. Meet Cobweb Cutie

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

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team

P.S. - Update: we’re back on Instagram. Final score, Hackers: 1, Michigander: 1. Turns out we don’t give up easily. Come follow along→ @michigandernews

P.P.S. - The Ann Arbor Civic Chorus puts 180 voices on the Hill Auditorium stage with the Ann Arbor Concert Band on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. for America's 250th. Details

P.P.P.S. - The Michigan Theater is running a Cozy Craft Club on Wednesday at 7 built around Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which means bringing a project to work on in a movie palace while Sunnydale happens on the big screen. Details

P.P.P.P.S. - Clocks fall back an hour Sunday (11/1). Enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

P.P.P.P.P.S. - The Michigan Theater is showing Frankenstein at 1:30 on Halloween and The Bride of Frankenstein right after at 3:30, so you can do the whole thing as a double feature and still be home before the trick-or-treaters show up. Details

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🐻 Michigander Things 

• Website — all our posts, upcoming events, and more

• Instagram — Back like we never left

• Merch store — grab something Tree Town for yourself or a friend. The crew neck is perfect for Fall.

• Refer a friend — rack up referrals for free swag

• Have an inside tip? — Let us know! We love to be the first to share what’s happening around town and often rely on your eyes and ears.

• Advertise with us — Slots still open for end of 2026 and early 2027. Bulk discounts available.