Arthur's owner undertakes effort to clean up Ypsilanti Township bar
Arthur's owner Gary Miller is looking to put a friendlier face on the East Michigan Avenue bar. He has invested $12,000 in renovations in recent months.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Gary Miller can vividly recall some of the more colorful moments from the early days of Arthur’s Bar in Ypsilanti Township. Opened in 1985, it became biker favorite, leading to problems with fights, drugs and an armed robbery that cost him $23,000.
But since Miller has taken over, Arthur's is no longer the biker dive it once was.
Instead Miller is transforming the once rough and tumble watering hole at 817 E. Michigan Ave. into a no-frills neighborhood bar. With its past shed, he hopes to attract a less rowdy crowd and offer a cleaner place “to get a good burger and beer and listen to the jukebox.”
Miller recently bought out his business partner and brother-in-law, Jack Muthler. Muthler owned 50 percent of the bar but never considered investing to fix it up, so Miller bought him out for $50,000. Over the summer Miller invested $12,000 in general renovations and improvements.
As part of the makeover, the bar has new siding, a new roof, tiled floor in sections instead of old carpet and a new pool room, and the parking lot will soon be paved. A front window that was once filled in with cinder block has been opened up, and sun shines where it literally and figuratively didn’t previously.
With the building brought up to code and back taxes paid, Miller believes he has attended to Arthur’s most pressing physical needs. But much of the problem was the old crowd that frequented Arthur’s. Miller established a new set of rules that has largely driven away the bikers.
Because most people driving down Michigan Avenue wouldn’t want to stop at a bar where 20 motorcycles are parked out front, Miller says, he now requires bikes be parked out back. Bikers can’t bring in their helmets or wear gang colors, so most just don’t go there any longer.
Miller, who estimated he gross’s $12,000 monthly, said the rules have slowed business in the short term, but he's breaking even and doesn’t deal with the multitude of problems he once did. He says he'll take the trade off.
“It might be slow now, but I don’t have the trouble I used to have,” he said. “I can leave and go to sleep and not be worrying about someone getting hurt down there.”
Miller recognizes the bar’s reputation, and knows he is taking a risk, but he said he’s determined not to give up after investing so much of his life there. He would rather attempt to clean it up and fail than just walk away, he says.
“I think I can turn it around and clean it up,” Miller said. “I’m not pumping all this money into it for some idiots to come down, start fighting and wreck the place.”
The exterior of Arthur's has received new siding and a new roof. A paved parking lot is next.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Miller now controls the mortgage, on which $100,000 is still owed. He said the economy provides a significant challenge, but he thinks with some perseverance, he can succeed.
Miller described Arthur’s as a “goldmine” when he and his brother-in-law first opened it in 1984. In those days, workers from Ford, GM and Ypsilanti Township’s other industries filled the bar. They cashed their paychecks at Arthur’s and spent a chunk of it there, as well.
While the paycheck cashing proved lucrative, it also led to the armed robbery that cost Miller $23,000, and he gave up that service. Still, the bar did well until the area’s industrial base declined. The poor economy only compounded the issues.
Until recently, Miller only kept the bar open Wednesday through Saturday nights, but Arthur’s doors are open Sunday through Tuesday again. As soon as Miller gets some good waitresses and bartenders to help him, he says he plans to offer lunch specials to help attract a daytime crowd.
In keeping with the no frills approach, the menu offers a good burger and fries and other bar fare.
“I’d like to bring the bar back to where it was, but without all the fighting,” he said. “I’ve been running it and I know what it consists of and know what needs to be done. Now that I own it and with my name on the liquor license, I can spend more of my time and money there and make it work.”
Miller is a life long entrepreneur who owned his own Canton-based trucking company and a Coney Island in Livonia. He said he could have bought any bar in Ypsilanti Township with his money but is hopeful the township can continue to improve the strip of East Michigan Avenue near Ecorse Road.
Improving Arthur’s is his contribution to that effort, he said.
“They’re trying to clean up the mess around there, so if they’re trying to do that, I sure can put my money in there and try to fix it up, too,” he said. “I just want to fix it up and have a nice, little clean place.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
pseudo
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.
I was around in the early days and while I don't want to offend the biker community that is currently around, those back in the 80s were bad and did a bunch of damage - I stopped going for sure. I am curious too. Who is he trying to attract - I ask because most of the successful bars I know are local hangouts, neighborhood places with a constant crowd who live within block of the bar...Arthur's is not near a neighborhood that looks all that economically supportive. I love that its fixed up, I hope he does well but I think his biggest issue is going to be location.
Becky Kirby
Mon, Dec 13, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
I am curious as to just who Mr Miller is attempting to draw to his establishment? How about people who are involved with charity work such as: People who volunteer their time to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness? People who work very hard to raise money for Scleroderma research? Do you even know what scleroderma is, Mr Miller? People who run and raise funds to support abused children? People who bring toys to give to the children in the hospital at Christmas? Would you refuse service to a police officer, teacher, office manager, factory worker, airplane mechanic or truck driver? No? Thats who we are, Mr Miller. Myself and the bikers that I associate with. 99% of bikers are law abiding citizens who want nothing more than to be treated with the same respect that we would give you. By the way, Mr Miller, I find SUVs to be gas guzzling environment killers. Could you please refuse service to the drivers of these vehicles that are destroying the earth for our grandchildren? At the very least, I would like to see those monstrosities parked where I cant see them. Its offensive. Thank You
Becky Kirby
Mon, Dec 13, 2010 : 2 p.m.
I am curious as to just who Mr Miller is attempting to draw to his establishment? How about people who are involved with charity work such as: People who volunteer their time to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness? People who work very hard to raise money for Scleroderma research? Do you even know what scleroderma is, Mr Miller? People who run and raise funds to support abused children? People who bring toys to give to the children in the hospital at Christmas? Would you refuse service to a police officer, teacher, office manager, factory worker or truck driver? No? Thats who we are, Mr Miller. Myself and the bikers that I associate with. 99% of bikers are law abiding citizens who want nothing more than to be treated with the same respect that we would give you. By the way, Mr Miller, I find SUVs to be gas guzzling environment killers. Could you please refuse service to the drivers of these vehicles that are destroying the earth for our grandchildren? At the very least, I would like to see those monstrosities parked where I cant see them. Its offensive. Thank you.
Bill
Sat, Dec 11, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
So Miller judges a group by the actions of a few. So if you ride a motorcycle to conserve energy and save the earth you have to park out back. Thats not very nice to people going green. And your not allowed to bring your safety equipment, required by law in the bar (aka) helmet. Is there are certain sections roped of in the bar for certain groups. Or is there slower service for certain people? How does Mr. Miller feel about different races visiting his bar? I mean he is judging people by what they drive, (park out back) or is it go to the back of the bus? I thought America was a country where your not judge or treated different on your beliefs or what you wear and in this case what you ride. I like where he said most people dont want to stop at a bar with 20 bikes out front, isnt that 20 paying customers at the bar? Not looking at the revenue, worried about how the bar looks. What I find funny is the some of the rides that he wants to be parked out back is worth more then what he paid for the bar
Stephen
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.
As a member of the biker community and a member of a local Motorcycle Club (yes Club not gang), I am personally offended. I have been visiting this bar since the early 90's both as a civilian and a member of a club and in these past years of visiting your place of business Mr. Miller I personally have never witnessed two bikers fight, i have witness and been a part of stopping a fight or helping your employees break them up. Of these the combatants have always been the 20 something crowd, who have as yet not learned to control their buzz, but rather let their buzz and ego control them. I was glad to see the improvements that were made to the building and was happy that the owner was taking an interest in his place of business, but i must say that after having read your remarks and talking to my brothers it will be your loss as we plan to not spend our hard earned money with you any longer. We as a whole feel that you have place the blame on us wrongly, I for one will miss coming in there and seeing some of your patrons, and employee's. I wish you good luck in your efforts, but as for myself and a lot of my brothers we will take our money to Biker Friendly establishments.
Tiana
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 6:50 p.m.
I'm sorry but I also agree with Alysha and Shannon. I started going to Arthur's in 1999 and have witnessed the problems that have occured and watched the "bikers" help the barmaid contol the crowd to prevent further problems. I'm sorry Mr. Miller but in the many years I have frequented Arthur's I have seen you there A) At the beginning of the night ( around 5pm) or after final call, and even that was a rare occurance. Never once have you ever witnessed these "bikers" actually causing the problems. It's actually those guys that have HELPED your bar for many years. Mr Miller I believe you honestly know the real underlying problem and even you know it's not the bikers.
Shannon
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 5:31 p.m.
I have to agree with Alysha. I have been frequenting Arthurs for for about 18 years also, and I have witnessed many, many fights prevented and/or broken up by the very same "bikers" that Mr. Miller is placing the blame. I have witnessed many "bikers" help the bartender clear the bar at the end of the night, make trouble makers leave and stay out, and just help out his "effort to clean up" overall. Mr. Miller SHOULD be ashamed of himself. In making disparaging remarks about the many bikers that have put money in his pocket, and helped with his "clean up", he is only hurting himself and his effort to place the blame.
Kim
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
Wasn't just the bikers causing the problems its the over rowdy patrons who don't know when to stop drinking that made it unpleasant too. I wish you luck cleaning it up..
Alysha
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
I must say that the improvements to the bar are noticeable but I am appauled at the fact that Mr. Miller feels that he must blame bikers for all that is derogatory about this etablishment. I have been coming to Arthurs since I moved to Michigan 18 years ago. It used to be a rough hangout and yes there were issues between bikers at times, but to say that they are the root of the problem is discriminatory and Mr. Miller you should be ashamed of yourself. I know most of the crowd that frequents the place and yes they are the same people week after week, bikers included. I also happen to know that most of the fighting that goes on in there is ensued by the younger "punks" who wear their pants around their ankles. People with a juvenile mentallity who can't handle their liquor. On many ocassions fights have been prevented by theses same bikers that Mr. Miller is "bad mouthing", not to mention money spent, that I am sure will now come to a screetching halt. This bar has more than issues with fighting. The hooker's that frequent the area are a problem, as I have personally witnessed. The surrounding neighborhood is also a problem deriving from rampant drugs and prostitution (and without biker involvement). I wish you luck, Mr. Miller, in your valliant efforts to "clean up the place" but the fact of the matter is, "You can dress up a pig, but it is still going to wallow in the mud."
amazonwarrior
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:22 a.m.
We couldn't help but notice the improvements to the building as we drove by and now we are looking forward to stopping in and, once again, having one of your great burgers! Good luck, Mr. Miller!
tdw
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
I used to go to Arthur's several years ago.And the feeling of many of the guys was if there no women then they'd fight.The crowd was mostly people from Prestonsburg or Pikeville Ky.( just about everyone from that side of town was from there )
Bob Bethune
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
Thanks for publishing an upbeat, forward-looking story. I hope this effort pays off for him and for the community! I also hope we get some comments here from the new clientele--and perhaps from the old as well. That would be interesting.