Independent coffee shop opposes Starbucks, wine now fills The Cellar and other Washtenaw County business news

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — There’s a lot of business news going on throughout Washtenaw County whether stores are rebranding, closing, opening or celebrating anniversaries.

Here’s some recent business news you might have missed.

‘Slap in the face:’ Independent coffee shop objects to Starbucks possibly opening nearby

Tension is brewing at a Pittsfield Township coffee shop, as the threat of a potential Starbucks drive-thru development looms right in front of it.

Brewed Awakenings Café Owner Kim Kaster opened her business in the Country Creek Village shopping center, 7025 E. Michigan Ave., in 2011 to provide her customers coffee and a space to connect.

But recent talk of a possible Starbucks drive-thru coming to a space right across from the business is causing Kaster to speak out.

“I feel it’s a slap in the face that it’s a Starbucks in my own parking lot,” she said.

Read the full story here.

Saline bakery announces closing

Matty J’s Bakery and Café is closing its doors for good in April.

The business at 972 East Michigan Ave. opened in 2017 and has been serving baked goods, sandwiches, breads and coffees ever since.

The bakery and café’s last day is set for Friday, April 28.

Read the full story here.

New art supply store aims to be more than just a retail shop

Ypsi Art Supply & Atelier recently opened inside Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti.

Owner Megan Foldenauer said she decided to open the new art supply shop to fill a need in the city for all kinds of creative people.

The new shop plans to sell art supplies, like pencils, charcoal, pens, ink, markers, colored pencils, acrylic paints, watercolors and some printmaking supplies, while also taking feedback from customers to shape its inventory.

Read the full story here.

Former Brighton barbecue restaurant is transforming into country bar

It’s in Livingston County, but the rebranding of Ginopolis’ Bar-BQ Smokehouse into Cowgirls Country Bar & Grill has generated a lot of buzz throughout the area.

Plans are to offer line dancing, live country music, DJs and comedy shows at the Brighton business at 201 W. Main St.

Melissa Ginopolis and the restaurant’s general manager, Mona Johnson, said they’re hoping to bring a long list of acts to the restaurant including DJs, singers, bands, line dancing and comedy shows with an emphasis on bringing local musicians to the area.

Read the full story here.

Blend of Indian, Mexican dishes part of rebrand for Ann Arbor restaurant

Downtown Ann Arbor has a new Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant thanks to a recent rebrand.

Latitude, 619 E. Liberty St., in the space previously occupied by Qmin, opened in February and offers a mix of Indian and Mexican food options.

Latitude sells tacos, bowls and curries with some options like butter chicken tacos, paneer tikka tacos and even a tinga masala chicken bowl which combines spices found in a popular Indian dish called tikka masala with flavors from a Mexican dish called tinga.

Read the full story here.

Weekend wine bar now available at The Cellar by Grizzly Peak

The Cellar by Grizzly Peak is now bringing a weekend wine bar to Ann Arbor.

The bar at 117 S. Ashley St. has around 15 to 20 wine options for customers to choose from with different styles and varietals, said Maura Zakem, general manager of Grizzly Peak and The Cellar. There are some Grizzly Peak draft beers to choose from as well.

Customers can find white, rosé, red, sparkling, dessert and non-alcoholic wines along with some frozen wine drinks like Frosé on the bar’s rotating list. The weekend wine bar also plans to offer build-your-own charcuterie boards.

Read the full story here.

Literati Bookstore celebrates 10 years in downtown Ann Arbor

Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

Mike and Hilary Gustafson opened the bookstore at 124 E. Washington St. after moving from New York in March 2013. The couple’s decision was made shortly after hearing Borders in Ann Arbor closed in 2011.

Now, Literati Bookstore is known for its curated book selections, personalized customer service and bringing in well-known authors with its events.

Read the full story here.

Read more from The Ann Arbor News:

2 University of Michigan strikers arrested during Santa Ono protest

You can now pair your favorite Zingerman’s sandwich with Michigan soda company’s drinks

Discover 25 hand-picked wines from Arbor Farms Market at Ann Arbor tasting event