🍦🎶 Sonic Lunch is back, and so is soft serve season

Morning, Ann Arbor!  Hope you got Mom her flowers yesterday. The full Sonic Lunch lineup just dropped, the Planning Commission cleared 64 apartments at 700 N. Main, and one of downtown's prettiest cafes is up for sale. Lots to get into.

Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here to get The Michigander every Monday.

Read Time: 4 minutes

Reader Count: 4,575 townies

Percent of Ann Arbor Reading: 3.72%

🎸 Sonic Lunch Just Announced All 12 Shows 

The free summer concert series at Liberty Plaza (310 S. Division) released its full 2026 lineup on Wednesday. Highlights: Grammy-nominated Grace Potter on June 18, "The Voice" finalist Laith Al-Saadi on July 2, Theo Katzman on July 9, and Grammy-winning soul legend Mavis Staples closing it out on August 27. Ann Arbor's own Racing Mount Pleasant gets the Aug. 13 slot. Bank of Ann Arbor sponsors, the price is $0, and shows start at 11:30 a.m. every Thursday from June 4 through August 27. Bring a sandwich. eCurrent

🏗️ 64 Apartments Coming to 700 N. Main 

The Planning Commission approved a rezoning Wednesday for a six-story, 64-unit complex with two parking garage levels at the long-vacant 700 N. Main site. The site held eight houses years ago and has been empty for more than a decade. "I am happy to approve anything that will get more housing back there," Commissioner Julie Weatherbee said. Final design approval still to come. WEMU

🎓 The U-M Presidential Search Just Restarted 

The Board of Regents told campus on May 4 that it has re-engaged Spencer Stuart and the same Search Advisory Committee to find the 17th president, just months after Kent Syverud was named the pick. The regents say they want a "visionary, dynamic leader" with a record of running complex organizations. Same consultants, same committee, fresh phase. The University Record

Smart starts here.

You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.

Join for free today!

🥧 House of Chimney Cakes Is Up for Sale 

The pink-walled dessert cafe at 216 S. Fourth Ave is on the market for $300K. Owner Amanda Debek told MLive her rent jumped from $4,100 to $6,700 a month and football-season foot traffic kept dropping. The cafe stays open through summer while she looks for a buyer who'll keep the concept. MLive

🍦 Detroit's Coolest Export Hits Ann Arbor

Detroit's Cold Truth Soft Serve has set up a pop-up at Bløm Mead + Cider on S. Fourth, scooping scratch-made vegan soft serve built on Southeast Asian coconut cream and Michigan beet sugar, with hyper-seasonal flavors and no mixes anywhere in sight. Catch them Thursday through Sunday, 4 to 9pm. The residency opened up because Curious Coffee is leaving for its own spot on N. Main, the renovation is coming along nicely with a move-in right around the corner. Cold Truth 

🛍️ Saturday Is Ladies' Night Out Downtown

Main Street Ann Arbor's Ladies' Night Out is back this Saturday, May 16. Wine tastings, shopping deals, and live music spread across the core blocks. Vinology (110 S. Main) is doing 8 tastings plus charcuterie for $20. Bløm Mead + Cider has a flower bar. Participating shops range from Abracadabra to Rock Paper Scissors, and the dining list runs from Blue Llama Jazz Club to Pretzel Bell. Main Street Ann Arbor

🚒 Police and Fire Open House, Same Saturday

A2 police and fire crews are taking over Fifth Avenue between Huron and East Ann from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 16. K-9 demos, fire-hose spraying, sit-in-the-truck moments, and free hot dogs. Good one for the kids. a2gov.org

🚌 TheRide's Memorial Day Plan 

Bus, FlexRide, and A-Ride service all pause Monday, May 25. FlexRide Holiday Service runs 6 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. for $5 per ride ($2.50 with a senior or A-Ride card, $3 with a go!pass) inside Ann Arbor and Ypsi. Reservations cut off at 5:15 a.m. weekdays. The Blake Transit Center remains closed for Fourth Ave construction, so downtown boarding has moved to Fifth and Washington. MLive

🥎 Michigan Softball Run-Rules Ohio State 9-0 

The Wolverines opened Big Ten Tournament play at Maryland this week by hanging eight runs across the third and fourth innings against Ohio State and ending the game in five. Janelle Ilacqua had three hits and two RBI, and Gabby Ellis tossed her first complete-game shutout of the year. MGoBlue

On the Market

607 Hiscock St ($550,000) 4 bed | 2 bath | 1,221 sqft - a 1903 Water Hill home with original wood floors, a main-floor primary, and a fenced patio for summer hangs. Walkable to downtown, in the Bach/Slauson/Skyline school path, and already on the route for the Water Hill Music Fest. Last sold for $190K in 2013.

1607 S University Ave  ($925,000) 4 bed | 3 bath | 2,292 sqft - a 1925 Craftsman sitting a block from the Arb and a short walk to the Med Center and Central Campus. Updated kitchen and baths over a new foundation and roof, plus a third-floor loft the listing doesn't even count in the square footage. Last sold for $389K in 2006.

325 E Summit St #101 ($1,150,000) 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,654 sqft - a 2021-build in Lowertown, steps from Kerrytown, the Farmers Market, and Argo Cascades. Heated covered parking, an 87 Walk Score, and a tree-lined balcony you'll actually use. Last sold for $965,650 in 2023.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Abigale — 2 years | Large Female | Siberian Husky Mix Black-and-white sweetheart who's a little shy at first but turns affectionate once she trusts you. Currently in a foster home and looking for a quieter household with no other pets. Meet Abigale

Angel — 5 years | Medium Male | Domestic Shorthair A white-and-orange shy guy who'll show his real personality once he feels safe. Wants a lowkey home where he gets to be the main character. Meet Angel

Ann Arbor — 2 months | Small Female | Great Pyrenees Mix, an adorable puppy looking for a forever home. Meet Ann Arbor

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

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Crew

P.S. - If you like what you read, subscribe below.

P.P.S. - Juicy Kitchen says the post-fire reopening is now "June-ish, just in time for MI strawberries." Owner is in deep with the contractors getting the building up to code, but the patio is back in sight. @juicykitchena2

P.P.P.S. - The city is patching the road by Gallup Park's southern bridge and replacing pathway segments around the Youth Fishing Pond by month's end. A bandage, not a rebuild, while the bigger funding gets sorted. WEMU

P.P.P.P.S. - We're on Instagram now. Come hang out between Mondays. Michigander IG

P.P.P.P.P.S - The 12th annual First Steps KidFest hits Leslie Science & Nature Center on Sunday, May 31, 3 to 5pm. Joe Reilly concert, food trucks, $5 kids / $10 adults / $35 fam. KidsFest

Before You Go

Got feedback for us? Something you love, something you don't? We read every reply. Hit us up at [email protected].

Got a story for The Michigander? Submit it here.

Want to advertise? Check out our pricing. Bulk discounts available.