Tim Hortons will build drive-thru on State Street in Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor City Council voted 11-0 Monday night to approve a new Tim Hortons restaurant at the site of the former Enzo's Sports Bar at 3965 S. State Street.
"It's a great improvement to what is right now a vacant piece of property," remarked Council Member Tony Derezinski, D-2nd Ward.
Tim Hortons is looking to expand into the Ann Arbor market.
Photo courtesy of Tim Hortons
Plans include a parking lot with 21 parking spaces and four bicycle hoops. The plans will leave the property owner, First Martin Corporation, with room to build a second retail building on the site.
Tim Hortons also has announced plans to open a store in Maple Village on the site of the former Golden Chef Restaurant, which was destroyed by fire in 2006. Site plans for that location have not been submitted to the city yet.
Eric Ramsey, real estate manager for Tim Hortons, said in a previous report the company is choosing from franchise applicants to operate the stores.
The Ontario-based chain has more than 3,800 stores, including stores on Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti Township and Michigan Avenue in Saline.
Sources told AnnArbor.com last month Tim Hortons' deal to move into the downtown space currently occupied by the lab coffee shop had unraveled.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
caledonia
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:41 a.m.
I used to drive down Ellsworth to get to work, and every day I thought about how it seemed like State and Ellsworth seemed like a natural spot for a coffee shop/drive through. Glad to see a Timmy's going in there!
observer
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
omg!!!!!, no four dollar coffee and conversation, what are we to do.......a chain is being allowed in Ann Arbor, how dare they......and no bike lanes....treason......I LOVE TIM'S COFFEE AND AM SO VERY HAPPY THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED IN.....THANK YOU......
Basic Bob
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
Now we need a Canadian restaurant that serves poutine!
SMC
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
I'm surprised that city council would approve a site plan whose drive-thru did not feature a dedicated bicycle lane. Have they done the proper traffic studies?
jns131
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
Great to hear the K Mart area is going to liven up with Tim Hortons. But I am still confused as to the location for the one on State. Loved it inside Wendy's. Cried when it left. O well. First introduced to us in Canada and still love them over here. Great news to an eye sore in Maple Village.
jns131
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
Ahhhhhh...............That use to be a seafood place a long time ago before they went under. Great location and will be even more great once, I agree Costco goes in as well as that round about. Happy trails.
SMC
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.
More traffic drives past that corner, to businesses on Ellsworth. I don't think enough people knew about the old co-located place in Wendy's to make it viable, and Tim's new market strategy would compete with Wendy's for lunch and dinner. They're not just selling coffee and breakfast pastries anymore.
Chris
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
The State location is the corner of State and Ellsworth. It's a great spot for them, right near the new Costco.
A2democrat
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
So it is going to be on Maple Rd not State St. Might want to change the headline
rkb0929
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
It's going in BOTH locations...read again!
Thomas Jones
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
So happy about Timmy Ho's at both of these locations!!!!! I know it is Canadian but...... that means 25 to 50 jobs here in Michigan!!!!! The bonus here is that those two locations have looked rancid for the longest time!!! Great News!!!!!
UM owns
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Exclamation points!!!!
thinker
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
I am glad that the former Golden Chef site is going to be occupied and that there will be a fast food restaurant at Maple Village. Since K-Mart's really good little restaurant closed this past year, that shopping center has been lacking a fast-food venue choice. It will bring more needed traffic to K Mart and the other stores, without detracting from Panda House, which provides excellent Chinese food.
f4phantomII
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
But when? Get on with it!