One in an occasional series of features on local music venues.

People mill around outside of Woodruff's, located at 36 E. Cross St. in Ypsilanti, on Tuesday night.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Wherever Andy Garris goes, the crowd seems sure to follow — first to the Elbow Room, then to the now-closed Savoy and, more recently, pied piper-like, to Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti’s newest music venue, which opened Dec. 1.

“It’s surreal,” the mustachioed, colorfully-tattooed Garris admitted, as he took a quick break from behind the bar, slammed on a recent night thanks to “The Love Hangover,” a benefit for literacy group 826michigan and HuRAI (Huron River Arts Initiative). “I’m very fortunate (and) I love it here.”

Judging from some of those present, the feeling is mutual.

“Andy has a lot of charisma, crowds follow him,” observed Doug Coombe, a veteran of the area music scene who books bands for Woodruff’s. “A lot of great Ypsilanti people have helped make this happen and he’s the catalyst.”

Woodruff's — a name that’s a nod to Ypsilanti’s early days when the settlement was known as Woodruff’s Grove — is located in Depot Town where Cady's Grill and Celebrations Banquet Hall used to be.

The layout is much the same as it was when it was Cady’s, with big windows overlooking Cross Street, plenty of exposed red brick, dark wainscoting and a stone fireplace bisecting the main room. The only new addition is the stage, built in the back corner across from the bar, and a few video games near the front door. The crowd is on the younger side, made up of scenesters, musicians and some Eastern Michigan University students.

“Ypsilanti has a really great creative community and this is a great outlet for them,” Coombe added. “It’s a fun place for people to come and see a show, and it’s a fun place for bands too. (It’s) a home for a lot of the indie-alt folks.”

Anthony Gentile of Ypsilanti, who plays in the local group Jehovah’s Witness Protection Program, agreed.

“I think it’s a great location. They built a great stage, and they have a good sound system, and they have the right team of people. Even though it’s new, it has the feeling of a place that’s been here a long time. ... There’s a lot of old school rock 'n' roll vibe but also a lot of comfort.”

Gentile also gave a lot of the credit to Garris.

“Andy is one of the best party promoters in town; I think that stands for a lot,” said Gentile. “There’s a reason why a good vibe follows him — that’s what he strives to put out. It’s important. He’s up for making people happy. Its not just for making money ... it’s about every night being a fun night whether there’s 10 people or 100 people.”

There’s another plus as well, Gentile said. As far as bands go, “they give us a place to rock.”

Woodruff’s, leased from Bill and Sandee French, who own other businesses in Depot Town, has been quick to offer its services to worthy causes. The club hosted the four-day Mittenfest V Michigan music festival around New Year’s and raised $15,000 for 826michigan. Such community involvement is appreciated, said Onna Solomon, who helped organize “The Love Hangover.”

“It’s a big step up from the Elbow Room. There’s room for people to talk, room for people to listen, and Andy has been a huge supporter of all the arts things we have brought to them,” Solomon said.

“It’s got a a nice design — it’s just tacky enough. It’s got that old bar design,” added her father, Rick Solomon.

Garris said Woodruff’s is nowhere near as big as the Savoy, but with a 148-person capacity it’s bigger than the Elbow Room by 20 people. “You can be up front in a big open space or be over here by the bar in all the chaos, or you can have a straight runway with the show. Pretty much everyone can be pleased here,” he observed.

Garris said his goal for now is to build on what’s already in place. “There’s live music seven nights a week, and there are things we couldn’t do elsewhere, like early jazz Sunday nights, or Dave Boutette’s open mic, which is doing great. The goal this year is to build on the music and get food of some sort going.” Two outdoor patios will be opened as soon as weather permits.

So is Garris living his dream? “I definitely am,” he said, jumping back to work behind the bar. “I love it here.”

Hasan Mihyar, Garris’ longtime friend and business partner, said their goal is to have a good time and give back to the community. “It’s like a big family group that travels with us. ... There’s a lot of cool people here, a lot of people who’ve got your back for everything. The best I can do is treat them like my family. I am from Jordan, so everyone over here is my family.

“Welcome to the family is what I have to say.”

Roger LeLievre is a freelance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.