The Michigander
Posts
L.L. Bean Announces Ann Arbor Location Coming Fall 2026

L.L. Bean Announces Ann Arbor Location Coming Fall 2026

December 15, 2025

Morning, Ann Arbor! You all are the best. After announcing last week that I’d be winding down the Michigander at the end of the month, you all flooded my inbox with replies.

While most of the emails were very heartfelt and kind, more than one of them complained that their Monday reading routine “on the throne” wouldn’t be the same.

Made me genuinely laugh out loud.

Whether you’re tuning in from the office or the porcelain throne, thanks for being a reader.

Read Time: 3.5 minutes

Reader Count: 4,198 townies

Percent of Ann Arbor Reading: 3.50%

New to The Michigander? We're a local newsletter emailing out relevant, local stories once a week. Subscribe below.

L. L. Bean

🥾 L. L. Bean: The internet is undefeated. 3 months ago, a local Redditor spotted a new sign for L.L. Bean at Briarwood. We reported on it but under the disclaimer that it was just an internet rumor. Well sure enough, last week L. L. Bean announced 8 new stores coming in 2026 and Ann Arbor is on the list (with a Fall 2026 opening).

Google Maps

🐄 Chick-Fil-A: On Friday, the first Chick-Fil-A in Ann Arbor opened at 3310 Washtenaw Ave. (where the old Denny’s used to be). Everyone who showed up on opening day dressed like a cow received a free entrée. The Chick-Fil-A will be open from 6:30 am - 10 pm on Monday - Thursday and 6:30 am - 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. You can follow the Chick-Fil-A on Instagram here.

Shutterstock

❄️ City Rebate Program: Last week, the city of Ann Arbor launched a new rebate program for locals to trade in gas-powered snow blowers for 50% of the cost of an electric snow blower (up to $200). The rebate program runs until March 1 or until funds run out.

UMS

🎉 Dimanche: Two award-winning Belgian companies merge puppetry, video, and mime for Dimanche, a visually stunning climate parable. Watch a family absurdly try to keep up appearances as nature's uncontrollable forces rage outside. This witty, tender portrait of ecological collapse is an inventive, captivating, and wonder-provoking piece of theatre.

Apple Maps

🍹 Social District: Last week the city of Ypsilanti approved a new social district in Depot Town. The social district will allow patrons from a handful of local businesses to carry alcoholic beverages outdoors within defined boundaries between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. The eight participating businesses are:

734 Brewing Co. (15 E. Cross Street)
Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill (39 E. Cross Street)
Sticks (39 E. Cross Street)
Maiz Mexican Cantina (36 E. Cross Street)
Mash Bar (400 N. River Street)
Thompson and Co. (400 N. River Street)
Sidetrack Bar and Grill (56 E. Cross Street)
WaxBar (44 E. Cross Street)

Secretary of State

🚘️ New State Plate: If there’s one thing lawmakers in Lansing love, it’s relaunching old license plates. In honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Michigan is relaunching a red, white, and blue retro plate that was originally launched in 1976 - for the country’s 200th anniversary. The patriotic throwback plate will be available January 2nd.

Shutterstock

🏈 Michigan Football Tracker: A lot of stuff happened last week with Sherrone Moore. It’s messy, I won’t be covering it. Instead, here are top 5 candidates to be U of M’s next head coach according to Kalshi (a prediction market):