Drake's Sandwich Shop was a favorite among Ann Arbor cops
Police officers are sometimes forced to make "shoot, don’t shoot" decisions in an eighth of a second. Ask them where they're having lunch on the day or afternoon shift, and it may take hours of debate and back-and-forth communications between partners. On midnight shifts, the decisions aren't quite as hard because the options are extremely limited.
By far the most popular place to dine on midnights for many years was Drake’s Sandwich Shop at 709 North University. It's now a bagel shop, but from 1935 until 1994, it was Drake’s Sandwich Shop run by a kind gentleman named Truman Tibbals.
Mr. Tibbals or "Mr. T" did his accounting and some prep work for his shop at night. For this reason, he left the back door of the store/restaurant open for the Ann Arbor cops working the midnight shift. When officers were told by communications they could take their break, they would simply reply “709,” which was the numerical address on North University of Drake’s.
At night it was always very dark in Drake's so it wouldn’t look open to anyone on the outside. Cops could walk in, take off their ties, joke, laugh and curse without fear of offending citizens or generating complaints of “conduct unbecoming an officer.”
While they joked and poked fun at each other, they could make a sandwich, sundae, float or eat whatever candy you could imagine because the “sandwich shop” looked more like a candy shop and soda fountain.
When the break was over, if Mr. Tibbals wasn’t upstairs listening and bantering with the assembled cops, we would find him downstairs in his basement office. We’d tell Mr. T what we’d consumed during the past half-hour and he’d come up with a price. Two officers might have had the same things, but if Mr. T liked you, you’d pay less than the other officer.
Drake's Sandwich Shop was a favorite among Ann Arbor police officers.
Photo from the papers of Sam Sturgis, in the Image Bank at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library
Mr. T was also famous for the pranks he played on the midnight patrol officers walking their beats. He favored firecrackers to keep beat walkers in the area on their toes.
Around Halloween, he would set out a dish of candy corn for unsuspecting young officers. The “Help Yourself” sign beckoned them to try a handful. From experience, I can tell you the candy corn was pretty hard — Mr. T had used the same candy corn for decades for a display in his front window.
One year he gave me a Christmas card printed on a business card with a grouchy looking Santa that read: “Times are tough, money’s hard, here’s your (expletive) Christmas Card.”
Officers played tricks on him too. Once officers put a discarded mannequin in a back booth slumped over, and apparently it frightened Mr. T.
Not to be outdone, Mr. T — who could no longer drive — enlisted the help of one of his youthful employees. Mr. T and his waitress (turned pranking co-conspirator) took the mannequin to North University and Church and laid it in the street.
He was foiled by University of Michigan security officers who spotted him and called in his description and suspicious activities. The entire night shift heard the call and knew exactly what was going on. There was a tremendous race to the scene to laugh at Mr. T. The responding officers told U-M we would take over from here. The waitress was sent home, and Mr. T and the mannequin were loaded into the police car and “taken away.”
In his final years, he was less mobile around the restaurant. He held court with arriving officers from a corner seat near the lunch counter. From his makeshift throne, Mr. T wasn't above threatening officers with a box cutter if they called him “dad” and tried to hug him. He liked us and we liked him, but clearly there were limits. Burly officers hugging him and calling him “dad” was apparently where Mr. T drew the line.
Mr. Tibbals died in 1994. Before he died, he was made an honorary Ann Arbor police officer. He was a great guy and a great friend of the Ann Arbor Police Department.
Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
chessie
Mon, Dec 20, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.
My apologies to Sergeant Kinsey for not using his proper title in my entry.
chessie
Mon, Dec 20, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
The "Cake Lady" was named Agnes Pagnal. She worked there for years. I learned how to make a decent cake by watching her at work. She was very nice and knew precisely what Mr. Tibbals insisted upon when making pies and cakes. She was very neat and took great care to produce a good product each week. Casmom wondered about why the basement to Drake's was special to Mr. Tibbals's family. My guess, based on having worked there from 1980-1985 as an evening shift Drake "Girl", is that the family remembers all the life that took place down there. I remember the adult Tibbals children or grandchildren stopping by the store to visit him during the evenings. They usually talked with him in the basement which extended the length of the store and despite being utilitarian in purpose, felt quite homey. Mr. Tibbals worked in the evenings into the night, and then returned home about 8am. Mrs. Tibbals managed the store during the daytime (from 8am- 6pm). Despite Mr. Tibbals gruff exterior and salty talk at times, he was a caring person. I never heard his talks with his family members, but I know that for the years I worked there, it was often that a former Drake's Girl would stop by and descend the worn but carefully painted staircase to greet Mr. Tibbals. He would stop his work, lean a hand against the marble counter tops, and talk a bit. He would ask how the person was doing, and nod. It was clear that he appreciated those visits. Officer Kinsey said that there were limits to the expression of affection between Mr. Tibbals and the officers. I can tell you that I know he looked forward the the officers daily visits. These guys were his friends. He had a ball sharing jokes with the fellows, and really looked forward to pulling pranks of them. I was one of the employees who helped carry off the prank listed in this article. I remember the evening well. It started when Mr. Tibbals asked which of us on the evening shift could stay late to help him with a project. I and another worker said we could. He said he'd pay us extra. Once the shop had been closed and cleaned, he asked us to help him pull a mannequin, wearing nothing but a grass hula skirt, out the back door and down N. University street. It was close to 11pm. We couldn't stop laughing, but Mr. Tibbals was very serious in his work. He said he had to return a favor to the AA police. The three of us walked along the dividing strip of land along North Univ. Street as quickly as we could until we reached the location just across from the Dental school. His plan was to place the standing mannequin on the dividing strip of land so as to greet the night duty AAPolice Officer as he made his rounds. No such luck. We were apprehended by the UofM Security Officer who did not recognize Mr. Tibbals. The UofM officer was not amused and demanded our names and I.D. numbers which worried Mr. Tibbals greatly. He kept telling the officer to let us go home and to deal with him. When they wanted to take us in, he began hollering at him to call the AA Police. The security officer looked very confused. Mr. Tibbals yelled his command again. Thankfully, in no time, one of the AAPD officers pulled up in a squad car bearing a broad smile which unleashed a long string of colorful joshing between the two of them. We co-conspirators were allowed to go home to our late night exam preparations.
B. Jean
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 10:10 a.m.
Wow, takes me back Rich. Drakes was also a favorite hang-out for high school kids from St. Thomas way back when. It was all about the cherry or vanilla cokes and frys then, and the great atmosphere of the tall green wooden booths. You had to write your own orders on the ticket at the counter. The Tibbals didn't stand for any nonsense from the kids so we behaved, mostly. Good times.
Killroy
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:44 a.m.
The basement was especially neat after hours because the 'cake lady' would come in a few times a week and bake her delicious cakes and pies as Mr. T did his accounting in his tiny office downstairs. I never spoke to her, but was impressed by her abilities. One time, we had an opportunity to go into the Walnut Room )upstairs). It was filled with old advertisements, candy, cylinder lava lambs, and posters. I even remember the Women's bathroom still had soap in the soap dish and the original carpeting throughout. Later, my mom mentioned to me that she used to go dancing there back in '53. I am deeply grateful that I got to work there and will never forget those years nor the people.
Jack
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
Chris I spent many of midnight shifts up there and it brings back many stories that we told and the tricks that were played
casmom
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:42 p.m.
haha Chris...I beleive we worked together!
Chris
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:24 p.m.
Brueggers! I used to work at that bagel shop which now occupies that space. I was there when the events of 9-11 occurred. It's fascinating to look into the history behind some of these buildings.
casmom
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:05 p.m.
I never had the pleasure of eating at Drakes but I did work in the bagel shop that took over the building from 96-01. I remember that his family (grandchildren I think) used to come in every now and then. They always requested to see the basement. When they would come up they were clearly emotional. I've always wondered what it was about the basement? Does anyone know? Anyway,it was clearly a very special place with lots of fond memories for many people.
Reason
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:05 p.m.
Nice article, lovely writing. Thanks for sharing these memories; great stories. I've enjoyed your blogs--keep writing!
Jay Thomas
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.
Whenever we went to Drake's to buy candy it always felt like it was Christmas. They had the best limeade and BLT's.;) I remember that candy corn, too. :|
bunnyabbot
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
I loved Drakes, getting a patty melt was always a treat and I remember thinking all the cops looked so big looking up to them, funny, they all looked the same to me, I think they must have all had mustaches in the late 70s early 80s. Every stop downtown included Drakes. I know Rich held a door for me quite a while ago, looks the same in his picture as he did then.
Laura Bien
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.
Nice story Mr. K. I remember Drake's fondly from student days and often studied there with a sandwich and Lapsang Souchong tea (I thought that was so fancy!) I appreciate getting the insider perspective though; thank you!
OldRUSHfan
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
Well, xmo, it has been my experience through life that Police officers often give what they get, and they often get the short end of the stick. I've only run into one officer with an attitude in my 52 years, and he was a State Police officer who probably had a healthy dose of some idiot driving like a maniac for no reason other than his own lack of planning. I've lived in the Ann Arbor area all my life, and NEVER ran into a Police Officer who wasn't at the very least cordial to me. I just look at it as everyone has a bad day sometimes. But an Officer other than that State officer has NEVER taken it out on me. Maybe if you weren't so down on them you might catch a glimpse of their humanity?
Sooze
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
I love Rich Kinsey's writing and this was a great article. Grilled pecan rolls! Limeade! All kinds of teas and candies. The MBurger grill in back. The place to go after a concert at Hill. Great privacy in those booths. Part of my life since 1957. After Drake's closed the safe which weighed several tons was winched up the basement stairs and saved, at least for a while, along with the panels from the facade of Kline's by a local treasure hunter.
CountyKate
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
Thanks, Mr. Kinsey, for the memories. I agree with others that Drake's in the one place I'd like to see resurrected.
actionjackson
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
I worked for Truman and his wife in 1965 as a dishwasher and graduated to flipping burgers. His claim to fame was the burger menu with about 70 varieties. A woman ordered a "cannibal" burger and the directions said put the patty on the grill, flatten it, flip it, and serve it! I went up front and said "is this right". Truman looked to see who ordered it and told me to do exactly as the directions called for. Evidently this woman ordered one like that every time she came in. I remember lots of cops coming in after hours as I washed up the last of the days dishes. Truman always had us pay ourselves out of the register at the end of our shift.
yourdad
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
Great story. But you forgot to mention Mrs. Tibbals. My mom volunteered at the dental school in the 70's & 80's. It was a Thursday ritual that we would walk to Drake's and get lunch along with candy and a chat with Mrs. T. This would be the one place that I would reincarnate if I could.
Drew Montag
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
See, this is why I read Rich's column every week. This is the kind of oral history that needs to be written down and saved. It's just a bonus that Rich is really good at writing it...
A2K
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
One of my best holiday memories was an annual trip to Drake's for Christmas candies (my family/parentals moved to Ann Arbor in 1980). Mr. Tibbles always gave me and my sister mini UM footballs, candy necklaces, or other treats. The "Martian Room" upstairs was a perfectly preserved 1950s booth cafe room, I miss the.50 grilled cheese sandwiches, and the black and avocado-green paint and tin ceiling. *SIGH*
Charles
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.
Let the hateful comments begin. XMO, you might want to look into the mirror to see who is dehumanizing others.
rusty shackelford
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:07 a.m.
Maybe that's true, but it'd be kind of silly. Plain clothes cops could get a much closer view by just going to the Diag itself.
Phil Dokas
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
For anyone longing to catch a glimpse of Drakes after all these years, theres a fantastic set of photos available here on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drower/sets/72157613217331875/ Dont miss the comments on the photos, theres many memories shared there as well as lengthy historical asides on some. Lots of interesting things to find.
Killroy
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:47 a.m.
Thanks for the memories. I worked as a dishwasher for Mr. T back in '84-86 as did my brother who actually drove Mr. T to and from his home on Geddes and did some yard work for him. Back then I heard a rumor that Mr. T used to allow AAPD and FBI to keep an eye on student activities from the Drake's rooftop overlooking the Diag during the turbulent 60s? Any truth to this? Best.
xmo
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.
Well, this certainly ruins my image of Police Officers hanging around a dounut shop. It sounds like Mr. T was able to get the Police Officers to act like "real humans" in his shop something that most of us never experience when we meet Police Officers.
clownfish
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.
"Burger for a cop!"
Dexterdriver
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
What a shame that Drake's closed. The internet revolution would have given them solvency into the future. All the people with fond memories of Drakes would have loved to order stuff from there online, wherever they lived. Maybe somebody will revive it still! Let's hope.
A2 N8ive
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
I moved from Ann Arbor in 1983. Other than my family, the aspect I missed most was Drake's. It was always so good to "go home again" for a limeade and peanut butter/bacon sandwich. When I was attending college, I loved going there for lunch. It was a very sad experience to hear that they'd closed. To me that was the stake in the heart of the Ann Arbor I knew from the 60's/70's. It's too commercial now, too many chains. There are still some GREAT small businesses, but far too many are getting forced out with rising rents. It's a shame. Wolfe was right.
Go Blue
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
Great history on Drake's shop. Got any info on the Betsy Ross or The Other PJ's?