{"id":4477,"date":"2026-02-02T20:49:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/what-happened-with-ann-arbor-businesses-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T20:49:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:49:09","slug":"what-happened-with-ann-arbor-businesses-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/what-happened-with-ann-arbor-businesses-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"what happened with Ann Arbor businesses in 2025?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em>From chain favorites opening on-campus locations to local staples expanding to long-standing businesses closing their doors, 2025 was an active year for businesses in Ann Arbor.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The Michigan Daily brings you a brief review of what happened in the city\u2019s business landscape this year.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This is not a comprehensive list of all business changes in Ann Arbor in 2025<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hazel Coffee Co opened a brick-and-mortar location<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-1    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hazelcoffee.co\/about\">Hazel Coffee Co<\/a> \u2014 a coffee business which originally began as a single mobile cafe and eventually expanded to a fleet of \u201ccustomizable coffee cars\u201d \u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/wrif.com\/2025\/11\/11\/hazel-coffee-co-opens-in-ann-arbor-after-five-years-of-catering\/\"> opened<\/a> a brick-and-mortar location at 2111 Packard Street Nov. 5, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hailey and Bryan Caragay, co-owners of Hazel Coffee Co, initially launched the business in Austin, Texas after graduating from Central Michigan University. In an email to The Michigan Daily, the husband-and-wife duo wrote they aim to bring a safe community space to Ann Arbor through their business.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was always a dream of ours to be able to serve our neighbors &amp; to create a safe space for the community,\u201d the Caragays wrote. \u201cThere is so much creativity in Ann Arbor \u2013 freelancers, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs\u2026 the kind of people that inspire us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Caragays wrote that Hazel Coffee Co gained significant community support during their opening process through their social media posts on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hazelcoffeeco\/\">Instagram<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@hazelcoffeeco\">TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve gathered over a million views in the last year on TikTok and Instagram, showing our process from the buildout to now, how much we spent, and sharing our latest drinks and hot takes,\u201d the Caragays wrote. \u201cAll of that allows us to connect with the community beyond their orders at the cafe \u2013 they help decide what drinks make it on the menu, engage with our baristas and share their own moments that make Hazel so special.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-2    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>The Caragays wrote they are grateful for the Ann Arbor community\u2019s support while they establish Hazel Coffee Co\u2019s presence in the city.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe haven\u2019t been open long and have already been greeted with so much warmth,\u201d the Caragays wrote. \u201cSeeing locals who inspire us showing up to offer support, get a drink, and let us know they enjoy our coffee or matcha is the highest honor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Frita Batidos expanded to New York City<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Frita Batidos \u2014 a Cuban-inspired restaurant and Ann Arbor staple serving burgers and shakes \u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/news\/business\/beloved-ann-arbor-restaurant-frita-batidos-expands-to-nyc\/\"> opened<\/a> its third location in New York City Oct. 29, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Founder and owner <a href=\"https:\/\/fritabatidos.com\/ann-arbor\/chef\/\">Eve Aronoff<\/a> wrote in an email to The Daily that she was able to open the Brooklyn location after finding a strong support network in New York.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-3    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI was waiting to find the right fit for partners who I felt were on the same wavelength as me and who also had a natural love for Frita,\u201d Aronoff wrote. \u201cI was fortunate to have met and developed a close relationship with our partners in New York, who have amazing experience in the culinary world and a passion for creating something special.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aronoff also wrote that the <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.umich.edu\/communities-clubs\/u-m-club-of-new-york-general-information\/u-m-club-of-new-york-presidents-welcome\/\">active<\/a> University of Michigan alumni network in New York played a large role in the restaurant\u2019s expansion.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe whole Ann Arbor community has been extremely supportive, but the U of M community in particular has been a vital part of our support system,\u201d Aronoff wrote. \u201cThere is a very active U of M Alumni and extended UMich family in NYC and we cannot put into words the appreciation we feel for the warm welcome we have received! To meet students at Frita BK and hear them say it feels and tastes just like Frita is incredibly heartwarming to hear!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Galleria Mall closes, forcing businesses to move or close<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinballpetes.org\/\">Pinball Pete\u2019s<\/a> \u2014 an arcade operating in the basement of South University Avenue\u2019s Galleria Mall since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wxyz.com\/news\/region\/washtenaw-county\/pinball-petes-moves-to-new-ann-arbor-location-after-nearly-30-years-at-galleria-mall\">1996<\/a> \u2014 was one of several businesses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/news\/business\/galleria-mall-businesses-including-pinball-petes-to-move-due-to-new-high-rise-development\/\">forced<\/a> out of the location due to redevelopment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-4    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>Pinball Pete\u2019s, along with burrito restaurant <a href=\"https:\/\/pancheros.com\/location\/ann-arbor-university\/\">Pancheros<\/a> and coffee chain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/news\/business\/starbucks-closes-south-university-location-due-to-new-high-rise-development\/\">Starbucks<\/a>, were among those displaced by the development.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In an email to The Daily, Business senior Mikah Brooks wrote that she thought the construction was taking away a valuable part of Ann Arbor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe closure makes me believe that the charm Ann Arbor holds is going to fade away,\u201d Brooks wrote. \u201cPinball Pete\u2019s has been such a staple in Ann Arbor and on campus. Although it\u2019s only moving its location, it still feels like a loss. It\u2019s deeply upsetting for many of Ann Arbor\u2019s iconic businesses to be shutting down at the same time. Hopefully, smaller businesses will be able to sustain these future changes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fast food chains Raising Cane\u2019s, Chick-fil-A opened Ann Arbor locations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/news\/business\/raising-canes-chicken-fingers-opens-in-ann-arbor\/\">Raising Cane\u2019s<\/a> \u2014 a fast food restaurant serving chicken fingers, fries and toast \u2014 opened its Ann Arbor location on South University Avenue on Sept. 16, 2025. The location is the third to open in Michigan, following locations in\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/locations.raisingcanes.com\/mi\/canton\/44218-ford-road\">Canton<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/locations.raisingcanes.com\/mi\/east-lansing\/301-e-grand-river-ave\"> East Lansing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-5    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>Raising Cane\u2019s is not the only chain restaurant to expand to Ann Arbor. Soon after Raising Cane\u2019s began serving customers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chick-fil-a.com\/\">Chick-fil-A<\/a>, another fast-food restaurant, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickondetroit.com\/news\/local\/2025\/12\/08\/chick-fil-a-to-open-first-ann-arbor-location-this-week\/\">opened<\/a> on Washtenaw Avenue Dec. 12, 2025, replacing the former <a href=\"https:\/\/locations.dennys.com\/\">Denny\u2019s<\/a>, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlive.com\/news\/ann-arbor\/2022\/03\/ann-arbor-dennys-restaurant-closes-its-doors-for-good.html\">closed<\/a> March 30, 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Ann Arbor site, which is locally owned and operated, celebrated their opening by donating $25,000 to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.feedingamerica.org\/?r=n&amp;o=a\">Feeding America<\/a>. In a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRcKqdfiRz5\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\">post<\/a> on Instagram, Chick-fil-A wrote that the company looks forward to expanding its franchise to Ann Arbor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur motto is simple: \u2018Work Hard, Serve Joy, Show Care, Chick-fil-A wrote. \u201cIt\u2019s what drives us to deliver not just delicious food but also a warm smile and a caring heart to everyone who walks through our doors here in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We\u2019re proud to soon serve our Washtenaw County community with high quality food and a commitment to excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Daily News Reporter Alexandra Sim can be reached at alexfsim@umich.edu<\/em>.<\/p>\n<aside>\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related articles<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From chain favorites opening on-campus locations to local staples expanding to long-standing businesses closing their doors, 2025 was an active year for businesses in Ann Arbor.\u00a0 The Michigan Daily brings you a brief review of what happened in the city\u2019s business landscape this year. This is not a comprehensive list of all business changes in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[242,243,254,4228],"class_list":{"0":"post-4477","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-ann","9":"tag-arbor","10":"tag-businesses","11":"tag-happened"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4477"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4477\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4479,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4477\/revisions\/4479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}