Former Hot N' Now restaurant on Washtenaw Avenue purchased after being listed for several years
H & N Land LLC purchased the former Hot N' Now at 2300 Washtenaw Ave..
Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com
The purchase of a former Hot N' Now drive-thru restaurant in Ypsilanti Township is the latest change in a recent flurry of economic activity along the Washtenaw Avenue corridor.
Swisher Commercial real estate agent Tony Caprarese said the restaurant, at 2300 Washtenaw Ave., was purchased Jan. 31 by H & N Land LLC.
"An LLC purchased the property and is in the process of determining what the future use will be," Caprarese said. "There's a couple possibilities. ... I think this new owner will eventually settle on what the preferred use is going to be. What it will be, will bring some stability in terms of utilization and longevity."
H & N Land LLC declined to share information about its plans for the location, though more information may be available in the coming weeks, Caprarese said.
Caprarese said the new owner has signaled interest in purchasing additional properties in the Ypsilanti area.
The LLC purchased the 1,200-square-foot building for an undisclosed amount, after the property was listed for $265,000. The previous owner, 2300 Washtenaw Holding LLC, purchased the building in June 2010 for $160,000 from Arthur and Marion Campbell.
Caprarese said the property, which was originally built for the Hot N' Now chain, was on the market for several years. The chain had a 15-year lease on the property through the Campbells.
About five or six years into the lease, the Hot N' Now closed, but continued to honor its lease. When that lease ended, the owners leased the building to some businesses that didn't last long, including the former Ice Scapes and Momie Soul Food.
"The original owner passed away and the property was sold to a 2300 Washtenaw Holding LLC," Caprarese said. "That person is primarily an investor and at the time the building was being looked at as a possible CVS Pharmacy."
Caprarese said the new owner is considering what to do with the building.
Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com
That idea lasted for about two years and then in May 2012, the owners changed their minds and terminated their letter of intent.
"That was disappointing," Caprarese said. "(They) had a pretty exciting idea to redevelop the entire corner right there, but they didn't for some unknown reason."
Since that time, Caprarese said he's received several inquiries from potential buyers including some national chains.
"They looked at it, but decided against it for various reasons," Caprarese said.
The stretch of Washtenaw Avenue west of U.S. 23 has seen some economic activity in the past few months with the opening of Maiz Mexican Cantina and the Blue Wolf Grill.
Right next door at 2224 Washtenaw Ave., a new restaurant, Pho House, will be opening soon in the former Fat Philly's and Burgers location.
Next to Pho House, a vacant lot at 2220 Washtenaw, on the corner of Hewitt Road, will be turned into a new Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop.
"How that (Tim Hortons) impacts that block remains to be seen and this group isn't affiliated with that group," Caprarese said. "It's a completely separate group."
Although the Washtenaw Avenue corridor is seeing signs of vitality, some businesses have seen relatively short life spans in the past year.
However, Caprarese is confident the new owner will return the building to viable use.
"I think based on who the purchaser is and what their future prospective uses may be, I think it will bring some stability going forward," he said.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
jbhuron
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 4:06 a.m.
Hi Cheryl Weber, Katrease mentions my business, Maiz Mexican Catina and we are East of the on/off ramps of US 23 and we are very much an Ann Arbor address. We hope you'll give this side of town a shot. Very happy to see all the success making making Washtenaw the commerce corridor of ypsi-arbor!
Cheryl Weber
Mon, Feb 11, 2013 : 6:05 a.m.
Ann Arbor,com seems very geographically challenged today. This area is not in Ann Arbor and is East of the on/off ramps to/from Washtenaw Ave. Also the front page picture which was to show South Division was an aerial shot showing Washtenaw Ave nowhere near the location in the description? Has your writing been outsourced to India?
Jane
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:36 p.m.
I am thinking Sonic too, or a Hardees, not one of those for miles. Popeyes?????
Claude Kershner
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 9:49 a.m.
What about a Dunkin Donuts?
Jane
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
Also a Dunkin Donuts at hewitt and Ellsworth so not too far from Washtenaw.
tdw
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 12:17 p.m.
There was a Dunkin Donuts that was basically across the street.But it closed years ago.It's now a middle eastern pita ( or something like that ) place
LRF
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:46 a.m.
Looks like a Checker's restaurant building.
LRF
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:43 a.m.
Seems rather strange that the new owner is H & N and formerly it was Hot & Now. Could there be some shady deal taking place? Just sayin' ......
brian
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 3:36 a.m.
I wish Burger Chef would come back.
jns131
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 3:25 a.m.
OK, here is my take. I want a Tim Hortons on the Corner followed by a Blimpie Burger in the middle. Any questions?
WalkingJoe
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.
If a Sonic goes in that would be fine, I just hope their food is better than their commercials.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:48 a.m.
Hope springs eternal!
treetowncartel
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 2:12 a.m.
Chicago dogs please
Jim Fink
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
I always thought Washtenaw Ave. between U-M and EMU would be a good place for a Halo Burger store.
Jim Pryce
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
Checkers/Rally's would be better than Sonic in my opinion applehazar. I go to Checkers in Wayne & have always enjoyed it. The Sonic in Westland doesn't compare to the Sonic's down south. A Wafflehouse would be cool too.
Katrease Stafford
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
I'm surprised there isn't a Checkers in the immediate Ann Arbor area!
mr_annarbor
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 11:19 a.m.
An "Awful House?" Definitely not!
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 11:03 p.m.
In a couple years, in the new weed economy, they will be serving sacks from this drivethru.
Arieswoman
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 10:58 p.m.
I had lunch yesterday at the Blue Wolf Grill and the food is excellent! A very nice luncheon and I will be returning.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:43 a.m.
Beezy's, Wolverine, Bomber, Bona Sera, Dalat, Haabs, Red Rock, Hidden Dragon, Kory's Chicken.. All Independents and all excellent!
Jeremy
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:09 a.m.
Probably not even 30. But the food and service are great. If Pho House is any good then that stretch of Washtenaw, with La Casita, Pita Pita, Blue Wolf Grill (and even Samosa House down the road) serve up some pretty special eats. The Ypsi food scene is small capacity, high quality, honest restaurants. Beezy's alone is worth the trip.
jns131
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 3:24 a.m.
That building was an old Taco Bell. Building is small and I have no idea how they can hold more then what? 30 people at a time?
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 10:58 p.m.
"H & N Land LLC" could this be Hot & Now Land LLC? i did do a quick google search to no avail. i know, why would they buy their own building. CVS? there's already a walgreens and arbor drugs within an eye shot of that address
Jonathan Blutarsky
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:36 a.m.
Hot & Now is owned by the STEN Corporation.
Cash
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
Uh, that's not been Arbor Drugs for a few years....LOL. It's a CVS. I am guessing they were once looking at building a new one to compete with the newer Walgreens across the street.
music to my ear
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 10:46 p.m.
maybe not a restaurant, what if they just torn down the existing building ,and build something the city could really use, what ever it is going to be I am sure H &N L are giving it some thought,and will make a fabulous decision. and selection.
mady
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
Bring Hot 'N Now back!!
Jonathan Blutarsky
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 4:35 a.m.
A Michigan Company originally and at least three locations seem to soldier on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_%27n_Now
TommyJ
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 2:45 a.m.
Are they even still in business any more?
beardown
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
I am not sure if it is feasible, but it would be great to see someone buy a couple of these lots (pho house + the gas station on the other side of this place) and find a way to combine them and build a grocery store.
applehazar
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.
Sonic would be great. Please not rally. It's built for a rally but their food is very suspect
southyoop
Fri, Feb 8, 2013 : 5:56 a.m.
No matter what it is, better get approval from Michelle.
Julie Baker
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 11:01 p.m.
Dading, my boyfriend would agree with you on the fries. They're his favorite. We often stop at the Bay City location when we're visiting. :)
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 10:55 p.m.
applehazar, food is suspect of what? their fries rock.
Rob MI
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.
I continue to insist that a Sonic will end up on a Meijer outlot, should they expand in this direction at all--be it the "new" lots being created on Ann Arbor-Saline or along the Carpenter Rd. corridor. Sonic has been in the state for at least 5 years now (it could even be 6). With the troubles experienced in Flint, however (per an MLive article in August of last year), I don't expect to see anyone racing to open more stores in southeastern Michigan, no matter what the corporate offices say.
Kyle Mattson
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 10:06 p.m.
I thought the same thing Rob. Now that Culver's is out on Jackson Road it seems that it would be best for Sonic to look east or south of downtown making this area logical, so who knows.
Rob MI
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 9:45 p.m.
The lot looks kind of small to host a Sonic, even with the building oriented parallel to the roadway. One never knows, though.
Paula Gardner
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 9:40 p.m.
I was told a few years ago that Sonic was looking in and around Ann Arbor. In fact, I believe I tried to confirm a deal for a location in Glencoe Crossing once, but that didn't pan out.
fjord
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 8:43 p.m.
It's kind of unbelievable that there's still not a Sonic in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti, considering that they've now been in southeast Michigan for a few years. That might be a decent place to put one, if the lot's big enough.
Katrease Stafford
Thu, Feb 7, 2013 : 8:38 p.m.
I've never had Sonic, but I've heard great things about it. I'll definitely be following up on this to see what they put there.