35+ Small Businesses in Ann Arbor That You Can Support Online
During the past several weeks, our country has entered a time of self-distancing and self quarantining in order to decrease the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19. And on March 16, Governor Whitmer ordered a temporary shutdown of all bars, restaurants, theaters, gyms and cafes in an effort to protect and preserve the public health. As a result, many small businesses, including local restaurants, breweries, bars, boutiques and other stores are being affected. But there are some ways we can help!
Thanks to technology, there are some practical ways we can support the many small businesses in Ann Arbor even when we have to stay home. You can purchase actual items from local small businesses who happen to have their products listed online. You can buy branded merchandise from small businesses to help support them both fiscally and physically. You can also purchase a gift card to use later once the shutdown is over!
No matter how you decide to help out these small businesses—whether by investing in a physical good or leaving a positive review online—everything counts. So read on for some ideas on how to help some of Ann Arbor’s small businesses and let us know who else we should add to this list in the comments below!
Jump Ahead
Restaurants | Coffee Shops | Breweries + Distilleries | Boutiques + Shops
RESTAURANTS
Black Pearl
A comfortable and cool spot located in the heart of downtown, Black Pearl is a spectacular hangout. While they are not currently delivering, you can purchase a gift card to help them out by emailing their general manager, Jennifer, at [email protected]. As of now, they are adding an extra $25 to every $200 in gift cards purchased!
The Earle
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
A jazzy downtown favorite, The Earle has been serving the Ann Arbor area for more than 20 years. You can purchase a gift card on their website—in either print, email or snail mail—to help support them.
eat
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
A quant, modern eatery in Lower Burns Park, eat offers a strictly carry-out and catering menu. You can purchase a gift card, in any amount you’d like, on their website as well.
Knight’s Steakhouse
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards | Merch
A locally famous spot with locations in downtown Ann Arbor, Dexter and Jackson—Knight’s Steakhouse offers a full line of stylish merchandise that you can purchase to help support them. Click here to peruse their merchandise or here if you want to purchase a gift card for the future.
The Lunch Room
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
Photo courtesy of Juan Moncayo via The Lunch Room
The Lunch Room, a plant-based Ann Arbor favorite, is currently accepting pickup orders. If you prefer to stay home, they ship their gift cards all over the country for absolutely free. You can even leave a personal note for a loved one (or yourself) when shipping directly.
Mani Osteria & Bar
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
Offering delicious dishes that emphasize local ingredients and small production, Mani Osteria loves promoting shopping local. You can do the same by ordering a meal to go or by purchasing one of their gift cards!
The Pretzel Bell
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
The place to be for students, townies and visitors for more than 50 years, The Pretzel Bell is a go-to campus landmark. You can order delivery via DoorDash, or purchase a gift card for yourself or a friend on their website.
Slurping Turtle
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
One of our favorite ramen and sushi stops in Ann Arbor, Slurping Turtle is a great spot for date nights, take out and casual lunches. You can also support them by purchasing a gift card in any denomination on their website.
Spencer
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
Photo courtesy of Spencer
This casual wine bar and restaurant offers plenty of ways to support them during this difficult time. You can order carryout by calling them at 734-369-3979 or you can purchase a gift card for the future or join their monthly wine club subscription.
Zingerman’s
Gift Cards | Shop
Zingerman’s is an A2 institution, so it’s only natural that we’d want to support them! Luckily, they give us many opportunities to do so with gift cards available for purchase along with hand-painted promotional posters that they make in-house, and a complete online shop where you can purchase food and other goodies.
COFFEE + TEA SHOPS
Black Diesel Coffee
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards | Merch | Shop
This small town college coffee shop is offering whole bean coffee delivery throughout Washtenaw County. If you’re interested in purchasing a bag, please call (734) 436-8355. You can also buy gift cards and merch on their website!
Comet Coffee
Gift Cards | Merch | Shop
Located inside Ann Arbor’s historic Nichols Arcade, Comet Coffee has been serving delicious beverages since 2009. Give them a little help this month by purchasing a gift card, which is redeemable for whole bean coffee, brewing devices and anything else at their little shop.
The Common Cup
Gift Cards
This nonprofit coffeehouse run by University Lutheran Chapel offers you the chance to purchase egift cards online so you can help out from afar.
Literati Coffee
Gift Cards | Shop
A local book lovers haven, Literati Bookstore and Coffee is one of our favorite spots in the entire city. They offer plenty of ways to support them online, including gift cards—which can be used for anything in the store (including coffee)—and their monthly book subscriptions that brings new, signed books straight to your door every month. You can also shop featured books online!
Mighty Good Coffee
Shop
Every Mighty Good coffee beverage starts with beans from select farms, mills and co-ops. Then they’re roasted in small batches and packaged to preserve freshness. You can order a bag for yourself online—they’re currently offering free shipping on orders over $50 or free local pickup.
Roos Roast Coffee
Shop | Merch
Deeply local Roos Roast is the coffee headquarters for freshly roasted beans in Ann Arbor. With three locations around town, they’re easily an A2 favorite. Luckily, you don’t have to go without them for long—you can purchase bags of whole bean coffee, cans of loose leaf tea and stylish merch on their website.
Sweetwaters Cafe
Pickup or Delivery (multiple options) | Gift Cards | Shop | Merch
Sweetwaters is well-known throughout Michigan and Ohio (and even as far as Walnut Creek, California!), but the humble coffeehouse began right here in Ann Arbor. Support them online by purchasing a few bags of coffee, loose leaf tea, or awesome gear on their website. Plus, they offer delivery straight to your home through apps like Postmates, GrubHub, UberEats and more.
TeaHaus
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards | Shop | Merch
Ann Arbor’s favorite tea spot, TeaHaus is a spot for great beverages, snacks and service. On their website, you can purchase a wide range of loose leaf teas, spices, gift cards and interesting merchandise—including adorable tea towels.
BREWERIES + DISTILLERIES
Ann Arbor Distilling Company
Gift Cards
This hyper local distillery has gone above and beyond for our community during this trying time—from giving out free house-distilled hand sanitizer to raising money for the Bartender Assistance Program. Show your support by ordering a gift card for future visits.
Arbor Brewing Company
Pickup or Delivery (call location) | Merch
When the Greffs opened the doors to Arbor Brewing Company in 1995, it was the first brewpub to open in Ann Arbor and only the fifth brewpub to open in the entire state of Michigan. They’ve done so much for the A2 community in the past 25 years that it only makes sense that we do something for them during this difficult time. Pick up some merch to show support from awesome T-shirts to curve bill hats and hoodies. Or call your local location for carryout, curbside pickup, and free delivery for food and beer.
Bløm Meadworks
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards | Merch | Shop
Photo courtesy of Bløm Meadworks
Bløm (pronounced bloom) is a hyper-local meadery right in the heart of Ann Arbor. Even though we miss visiting them in person, they have plenty of ways to support them online from gift cards to awesome merch to session and cider delivery options.
Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards
BBQ and beer is a winning combination that has been tried and tested over the centuries and the Blue Tractor team is just about as knowledgeable as you can get in both categories. You can purchase a gift card to use in their spectacular brewery/restaurant in the future, here.
Grizzly Peak Brewing
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards | Merch
A landmark in downtown Ann Arbor, Grizzly Peak is a hometown favorite. Support them by purchasing a gift card online. Or join their Mug Club, which gets you a wide range of perks from discounts to exclusive events and more. Delivery is available via Doordash or you can order carry out by calling 734-741-7325.
HOMES Brewery
Pickup or Delivery (Food) | Pickup or Delivery (Brews) | Gift Cards | Merch
Photo courtesy of HOMES Brewery
HOMES Brewery offers more than just beer—they provide an entire experience by pairing their brews with a modern atmosphere and tasty dishes. Online, you can purchase cool, branded merchandise or you can become a HOMES Member which gets you a limited edition glass, beer discounts, 15% off merch and so much more.
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Pickup or Delivery | Gift Cards | Merch
Founded by Ron Jeffries in 2004, Jolly Pumpkin began in Dexter and now operates pubs and tap houses in Dexter, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Traverse City, Royal Oak, Grand Rapids and Chicago. You can support them online by purchasing a gift card or merch on their website.
BOUTIQUES + SHOPS
16 Hands
Shop
Now tucked away on the second floor of Kerrytown Market & Shops, 16 Hands has been celebrating the creative spirit in our community for over 40 years. They are currently closed, but you can purchase some of their goods—with free shipping for a limited time—and gift certificates online.
b.fosto studio
Shop
If you’re looking for something pretty to help take your mind off current events—b.fosto studio has you covered! This local jewelry shop is packed full of handmade jewelry, gemstones and precious metals for you to peruse. Plus they have an online Etsy shop, so you can support them from the comfort of your own home.
Bivouac
Shop
Nestled in the Nichols Arcade, Bivouac is an outdoor clothing boutique offering everything from camping gear to cozy loungewear. This month, they are offering free shipping and free returns on all their purchases online, as well as same day delivery in the area and free curbside pickup.
Bookbound
Shop
In a book loving community, we love to rally together to help support our independent bookstores in difficult times. You can help out the amazing Bookbound by shopping for books online. As an added bonus—10% of your purchase will be donated to help other independent bookstores in need.
Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room
Shop
Crazy Wisdom has been locally owned and independent since 1982, and has become known as Ann Arbor’s headquarters for books on specialized topics like holistic health, psychology and spiritual development. You can purchase books, merch, gift cards and more on their website to help support them.
FOUND
Shop
Perfectly merging vintage and modern, FOUND offers a mix of home decor, pillows, rugs, textiles, candles, jewelry and gifts. And many of those goods are available for shipping, local delivery or pick-up.
Rock Paper Scissors
Photo courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors
Located on Main Street in Ann Arbor, Rock Paper Scissors is a paper goods and gift store. In addition to their huge selection of personalized stationery and cards, they carry a variety of fun and funny gifts. To shop online, click here.
University Flower Shop
Pickup or Delivery | Shop
Established in 1931, the University Flower Shop is a floral design studio and shop in Ann Arbor’s historic Nickels Arcade. If you know of someone in need of a pick-me-up, order a bouquet online to be sent directly to their door.
V2V
Shop
This beautiful women’s fashion, lifestyle and bridal-blend boutique can be found in the heart of Kerrytown. Shop through their catalog online which includes cozy pjs, mugs, candles and more for the perfect, cozy self-distancing stint.
Vault of Midnight
Gift Cards | Shop
Headquarters of comic book lore in Michigan, Vault of Midnight has three locations in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Detroit. They have plenty of things for sale on their website—from interesting merch to gift cards to book-of-the-month subscriptions. Click here to start shopping.
Verbena
Gift Cards | Shop
Home to high-end, popular fashion at fantastic prices—Verbena is a great spot to pick up some new digs. You can order from them online by direct messaging them on Instagram or online. They also offer gift cards that you can purchase on their website to use at a later time.
Where do you like to shop?
This is a still-growing list that we would love to add to. Let us know what independent shops in Ann Arbor you love supporting so that we can include them!
