Isalita To Close, Mani To Expand Next Door

Morning, Ann Arbor! Early warning, this’ll be the second to last Michigander of the year. After next week, I’m taking two weeks off for the holidays.

And a shoutout to all U of M students running on little sleep studying for finals. May the curve be in your favor.

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🍕 Mani Next Door: After nearly 12 years in business, Isalita Cantina Mexicana will close on December 22. Owner Adam Baru is transforming the space into Mani Next Door, a private event venue complementing his neighboring Italian restaurant, Mani Osteria & Bar. The new concept will focus on hosting larger groups and special occasions, featuring dishes inspired by Mani’s menu. Construction is planned for early 2025, with a goal to open in time for the University of Michigan’s graduation season.

🇰🇷 Little Kim: In continuing with the theme of restaurants expanding into neighboring spaces, Miss Kim will open Little Kim at 407 N Fifth Ave (the old Eat location within the Kerrytown courtyard) in 2025. Announced this weekend via an Instagram post and fresh signs on the window, Little Kim will be “an Asian inspired, grab-and-go style restaurant” with “delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine”.

📚️ Go Blue Guarantee: U of M is expanding its Go Blue Guarantee - a program that provides free tuition for in-state students from families below income and asset thresholds. When the program launched in January 2018, the family thresholds were up to an income of $65,000 and assets up to $50,000. Last week, the program was expanded to families with an annual income and assets under $125,000. Starting in Fall 2025, the move will add 2,200 eligible students across Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses.

TODAY’S SPONSOR: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

❄️ Holiday Pops 2024: This December, experience the A2SO’s annual Holiday Pops concert at Hill Auditorium. Celebrate the season with Music Director Earl Lee, vocalist Oliva Van Goor, and full orchestra in an evening of lush symphonic hits, festive jazz arrangements, and fun audience participation, Plus, University of Michigan icon Carl Grapentine stars as guest narrator for “The Night before Christmas”—sure to be an instant classic!

Discounts available. Click here to purchase tickets, or call (734) 994-4801.

🌲 Compost Schedule: This is your last week to take those leaf bags to the curb before they haunt you all winter long. After this Friday, the city’s weekly compost pickup will move to a monthly pickup schedule until April - winter pickups will be on the weeks of January 6, February 3, and March 3.

🎅 Christmas Vacation-Themed Bar: Pretzel Bell (226 S Main St) has transformed its basement bar into a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation-themed bar. The festive bar is outfitted with decorations inspired by the Griswold family, themed drinks like Cousin Eddie’s Eggnog, and constant scenes from the 1989 holiday movie playing on TV. The pop-up bar will be open until January 4. Here’s a good minute-long video walkthrough.

 🏈 Rose Bowl Rematch: Michigan will end its 2024 season playing against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl (the former Outback Bowl) in Tampa, Florida on New Year’s Eve. In a rematch of the 2023 Rose Bowl (highlights linked here for your viewing pleasure), the Crimson Tide are 12.5-point favorites.

Despite a bumpy 2024 regular season, morale is high for the Wolverines who in the past three weeks upset Ohio State, flipped Bryce Underwood (who was just named the Michigan Gatorade Player Of The Year, again), and signed the 9th best recruiting class in the country.

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

- Andrew

P. P. S. - U of M announced a 5-year contract extension for athletic director Warde Manuel

P. P. P. S. - A Redditor asked ChatGPT to roast Ann Arbor

P. P. P. P. S. - Thanks to the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for sponsoring this week’s Michigander.

Interested in advertising in the Michigander? Click here. January 27 is available.