Ann Arbor’s community staple, Downtown Home & Garden, has permanently shuttered its doors as of Christmas Eve, after more than a century of doing business. The iconic store, recognized as a constant in the fabric of Ann Arbor’s downtown at 210 S. Ashley St., served its last customers on December 24, concluding what has been a long-standing tradition for many locals. According to WXYZ, owner Kelly Vore cited Ann Arbor’s rising rent prices and changing consumer habits as key contributors to the closure.
Much more than a business, Downtown Home & Garden has been an intrinsic part of the Ann Arbor community. Regular patrons, such as Mark Doran and Barbara Leonard, spoke with WXYZ about the store’s unique presence in their lives, calling it a source of “great merchandising” and “part of our routine,” respectively. The staff at the historic establishment were not just seen as clerks but as friends by their consumer base. The store’s announcement of its impending closure back in August had already set the stage for a communal outpouring of support, and Vore’s gratitude for the community’s response shone through in her statements, highlighting the affection for the store that was, “about a million times greater than we imagined.”
As the end neared, the store’s shelves grew bare. Longtime customers visited to bid it farewell and spoke to various publications about their personal connections to the establishment. As reported by MLive, Ron Pisoni lamented the loss of what he described as a “really unique place,” emphasizing the special bond customers had with store employees. Owner Kelly Vore voiced her acknowledgment of the emotional difficulty of the store’s final days, “a lot of times people walk in and it’s kind of like the tears well up,” she told mlive.
The closure, brought on by financial burdens exacerbated by the pandemic, left the store no choice despite a surge in business in 2021, “We’re at pre-pandemic volume with post-pandemic expenses,” Vore noted in a Michigan Public’s Stateside interview. “And expenses have gone up way more than volume.” Facing the stark realities of the retail landscape, efforts like downsizing and laying off staff were not enough to keep the store profitable in the face of rent hikes and changing consumer spending. However, Vore emphasized the spirit of the place and the community’s role as stewards of their trusted brand.
Though Downtown Home & Garden’s physical presence has come to an end, both customers and staff acknowledged its importance and hoped that the store’s legacy, as well as the historical significance of its location, would be honored by any future businesses moving in. The property owner, Mark Hodesh, also hopes that the next chapter for the 210 S. Ashley St. property would preserve the building’s history, while Vore, coming to terms with the store’s conclusion, expressed her desire for the address to continue bringing good memories.
