🎨 The Art Fair is coming (and so are the food trucks)

Morning, Ann Arbor! We hope you had a great Fourth. Friday's storms did a number on SE Michigan, toppling trees and knocking out power for hundreds of thousands, with some still waiting on the lights. As cleanup continues, there's plenty ahead: the Art Fair is nearly here, Fourth Ave is getting a fresh look, and Sweetwaters is planting its flag on North Campus. Let's roll!

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

Read Time: 4.5 minutes

Reader Count: 4,842 townies

Percent of Ann Arbor Reading: 3.93%

🇺🇸 A Neighborhood Bike Parade Marks America's 250th

An army of kids on wheels rolled through the Dicken neighborhood Saturday to celebrate America's 250th, led by an Ann Arbor Fire Department truck. The tradition started in 2020 when Hillary Levasseur moved in and wanted to meet her neighbors, and it's grown into an annual favorite. "Everyone here is just proud and happy to live in this neighborhood," she said of the tight-knit community she calls a hidden gem. mLive

🎨 Paint the Town Kicks Off Art Fair Week

Downtown streets close Tuesday, July 14, for Paint the Town Block pARTy, a free celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. that kicks off Art Fair week. Expect live painting, David Zinn chalk art, a silent disco, tile demos from Motawi, animals from the Hands-On Museum, and street pickleball, plus a connected City pARTy with a fire department spray party and touch-a-truck. AA Art Fair

🪑 Three Chairs Company Turns 30

Three Chairs, the high-end furniture shop at 215 S. Ashley St., is marking three decades downtown. Owner Susan Monroe opened it to fight the tide of cheap, disposable furniture, stocking timeless, customizable pieces made almost entirely in America (she estimates 95% US-made). Once a four-location chain, she's pared it down to the Ann Arbor flagship and a Holland shop as she eases toward retirement. Three Chairs

☕ Sweetwaters Is Coming to North Campus

Ann Arbor's homegrown coffee chain is adding an eighth local location, this time at Pierpont Commons, U-M's North Campus student union. Sweetwaters will take over the lower-level spot left by Hibachi-San, with plans to open before fall semester starts in late August. The Michigan Daily

🍳 Afternoon Delight Is Officially on the Market

A few weeks back we told you owner Joanne Williams was retiring, and now the beloved breakfast spot at 251 E. Liberty is formally for sale. Williams started there in high school, became a partner two decades ago, and took over fully when founder Tom Hackett stepped back in 2020. Open since 1978 and famous for its made-to-order breakfast and bran muffins, the café is looking for a buyer who'll keep the legacy going. Detroit Free Press

🚚 Food Truck Rallies Are Back at the Farmers Market

Summer evenings just got tastier. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market food truck rallies return on the third Wednesday of each month, July through October, from 5 to 8 p.m. Expect more than a dozen Southeast Michigan vendors serving up food from around the globe, plus live music, community groups tabling, and family fun. Come with friends, family, or solo, either way you'll leave full. Ann Arbor Farmers Market

🥟 Bao Space Reopened Last Week

Good news for bao lovers: Bao Space at 205 N. Main St. reopened Friday, July 3, after closing back in February for renovations. A flyer on the door promises "new & delicious flavors" and a more comfortable dining experience. Launched by couple Raphael and Rongrong Yue in December 2022, the spot serves steamed buns stuffed with pork, chicken, or veggies, just steps from Detroit Pizza Pub and a short walk from Zingerman's. Bao Space 

🚧 Fourth Ave Construction Update

Progress rolls on downtown. Last week's work focused on the 4th and Liberty intersection, with crews installing concrete sidewalk, prepping asphalt, and placing aggregate base. This week they'll finish the sidewalks and ramps and pave the intersection. Then construction pauses from July 10 to July 26 for downtown events, including the Art Fair. During the break, the 4th and Liberty intersection will be open to pedestrians but closed to regular vehicle traffic while the concrete cures. A2 DDA

🚀 U-M Is Helping Keep Astronauts Safe from Solar Storms

Michigan Engineering played a key role in NASA's Artemis II mission, developing solar radiation forecasts that give astronauts up to 24 hours of warning before dangerous space-weather hits. The work comes from U-M's NASA-funded CLEAR Center, led by professor Lulu Zhao, which blends physics-based modeling, machine learning, and real-time solar observations to predict radiation bursts from solar flares, one more reason U-M is a global leader in space-weather forecasting. Look to Michigan

🫀 A U-M Startup Just Sold for $835M

Big exit for Ann Arbor. Medical tech giant Stryker has acquired Amplitude Vascular Systems, a University of Michigan startup, for up to $835 million. AVS developed the Pulse IVL System, which treats arterial calcification, the hardening of calcium in arteries that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Stryker, headquartered in Portage, hopes to expand patient access to the treatment. U-M Innovation Partnerships

On the Market

2010 Ferdon Rd — $409,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,716 sqft - A sunny 1951 bungalow in the Pattengill neighborhood, minutes from Trader Joe's and Michigan Stadium. Hardwood floors, a walkout lower level with family room and full bath, and a fenced backyard with deck and paver patio. Last sold for $227,500 in 2013.

2011 Day St — $850,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 2,125 sqft - A storybook 1922 Tudor Revival on a hilltop in Ann Arbor Hills, full of charm with smart updates throughout. Fireplace, updated kitchen with soapstone counters, first-floor den, and a fenced .38-acre lot with courtyard and three-car garage. Steps from top-rated Angell Elementary. Last sold for $425,000 in 2012.

2411 Londonderry Rd — $979,000 4 bed | 3 bath | 2,708 sqft - A stunningly updated 1959 ranch in prestigious Ann Arbor Hills, turnkey with new hardwood floors, an updated granite kitchen, and a finished lower level with rec room, office, and fourth bedroom. Perennial gardens, flagstone paths, and a little waterfall stream out back. Walk to County Farm Park and Whole Foods. Last sold for $860,000 in 2023.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Ashoka — 8 months | Spayed Female | Hound Mix An energetic and loving young pup looking for an active family to continue her training, share exciting adventures, and enjoy a lifetime of unconditional love. Meet Ashoka

Anna — 4 years | Spayed Female | Domestic Shorthair A gentle and shy sweetheart who takes time to trust, but rewards patience with a truly special bond and quiet companionship. Meet Anna

Capri Sun — 9 months | Neutered Male | Pit Bull Terrier Mix A fun-loving, energetic pup who's eager to learn, ready for adventure, and full of unconditional love for an active family. Meet Capri Sun

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

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team

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

P.P.S. - Ever gotten lost finding parking on campus? U-M just launched a new interactive Facilities and Parking Map that ditches the clunky PDFs. Toggle layers for parking, construction, accessibility, and bike/moped spots. Give it a spin → map.fo.umich.edu.

P.P.P.S. - Not following us on Instagram yet? I thought we were friends. That's where we drop weekend checklists, "best of" roundups, and the Ann Arbor stuff that doesn't make the newsletter. Join the fun → @michigandernews

P.P.P.P.S. - Football season is almost here. Single-game tickets for Michigan's 2026 home slate go on sale next week, with public sales opening Saturday, July 11 at 9 a.m. First year under coach Kyle Whittingham, with home matchups against Oklahoma and Michigan State. Join the interest list.

P.P.P.P.P.S - The 30th annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show rolls into downtown Thursday, July 10, with more than 300 vintage rides on display across Main, Liberty, and Washington from 2 to 10 p.m. Free to wander and admire. Main Street Ann Arbor

Interested in advertising in The Michigander in Fall 2026 or 2027? We love supporting local business, and we're lining up new advertisers. Advertise with us or email [email protected]. Few spots remain for Fall 2026. Bulk discounts available.