Stadium Party Shoppe in west Ann Arbor makes a quiet exit
The Stadium Party Shoppe is entirely empty and some of the signage has already been taken down.
Ben Freed | AnnArbor.com
Newspapers and old beer promotion signs haphazardly cover the front window of the now-closed Stadium Party Shoppe on West Stadium Boulevard. The scraps hardly shield the completely empty interior from curious passers-by.
According to the Shoppe’s “About Us” section on their website, Johnny Georges came to Ann Arbor from Hamtramck with his brothers in the early 1990s. They first opened a store in the smaller space next-door, which is now Stadium Pharmacy.
The Georges moved to the larger space in 2001, and according to city records a company registered to the same family bought the property in 2002 for $400,000.
Xavier Tato, a pharmacist at Stadium Pharmacy, said he was surprised when the store closed about 10 days ago.
“We thought they were remodeling, and then they were just gone,” he said. “It’s sad for all of us because it was a major draw for the center, it brought a lot of foot-traffic to all of us.”
None of the other store owners in the West Stadium Shopping Center, which also includes a Little Caesars, Baskin Robbins, and Izzy's Hoagie Shop, seemed aware of why the store closed. Most said they knew the Georges, but none had spoken to them about the possibility of their store closing its doors.
“They had been here 22 years,” Tato said. “We’re just hopeful that something will be there again soon to help pick the business back up.”
Johnny's brother Gus Georges owns Huckleberry Party Store in Ypsilanti Township. Gus said he is in the process of buying the store from his brother and renovating before reopening as a new business. He said he does not yet have a time-table for when the store will open and is unsure what the new name will be.
Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2
Comments
Buckybeaver
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:46 p.m.
Bring back Kelsey's market
missmisery
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:16 p.m.
I wonder if this has anything to do with the cleanup of the apartments over on the corner, now called "Manchester Flats". I remember a steady stream of residents walking to and from this party store back before McKinley bought the dumpy complex and turned it into unaffordable urban chic.
Frustrated in A2
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:54 a.m.
This was the only place locally I could find Faygo Fruit Punch, I hope the new owners bring that back!
Jack Gladney
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:02 a.m.
That was Big George's grill store before Stadium moved in from next door where the pharmacy now is...
jns131
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:46 a.m.
I remember there was a dress shop there as well before the owner retired. Then something else went in. Wow times they are a changing.
Ann English
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:21 a.m.
Thank you, Ben, for some quick updating us on this location. Gus Georges probably has more hopes at this time than answers for you; I know a Greenback Dollar Store co-owner has more hopes at this time than answers for his regular patrons.
Tim Hornton
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.
I used to go here to get alcohol and beer to get drunk when I lived on south maple. Now I buy my booze at mejier.
Bryan Ellinger
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 11:25 p.m.
It would be great if Gus Georges continues to stock Leffe when he reopens. Leffe is virtually impossible to find around here.
Ann English
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:24 a.m.
I know how it is when you can find something you use or ingest regularly sold at just one store, especially when it's not sold at the big box stores.
Ben Freed
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
I just spoke with Gus Georges, who is buying the location from his brother. I've added his comments to the story.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.
mmmmm......izzys....
mady
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:36 p.m.
why would anyone give you a thumbs-down?! I love Izzy's!!!
Ann English
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 9:53 p.m.
The store's website says its address is 1940 W. Stadium Boulevard. Greenback Dollar Store intends to move to 2026 W. Stadium Boulevard, so keep us up-to-date on both locations.
treetowncartel
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 9:42 p.m.
Wasn't this place open in the late 80's?
Newzdog
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.
Devaux Pharmacy was in the location but Mr Devaux, the owner/pharmasist, passed away and the business closed.
treetowncartel
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 10:37 p.m.
Was there another party store in that strip in the 80's? I remember frequenting that area for a little bit, but my memory has it before 1991.
Ben Freed
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
No, it opened in 1991.
Ben Freed
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 9:12 p.m.
@Some Guy and Lizzy, All of the registrations for the Stadium store, both the entity that own the store and the property, are for a Janan Georges who is the registered agent for Nawal, Inc. and Najiba, LLC. Both Huckleberry stores are registered to a Wassan Georges who is the agent for Huckleberry Liquor, Beer & Wine Store, Inc. Stadium Market is registered to a Vernon George of George Brothers & Associates Inc.
Cash
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:46 p.m.
By "George"! I think you've got it! Sorry. Couldn't resist.
Some Guy in 734
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.
Lizzy--The previous Huckleberry owner had been in the Washtenaw location for ages. The Huckleberry II location (formerly Bill's Market, Sake Bombs Depot and a bunch of other businesses) was affiliated with that owner. The Washtenaw store changed hands long after the Packard/State store did.
TheDiagSquirrel
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.
Wow, that was the first place I bought alcohol as a minor back in the 90's...another childhood memory gone!
Ellis Sams
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 8:48 p.m.
No more credit from the liquor store.
DJBudSonic
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:42 a.m.
Potatohead Bobby was a friend of mine...
YpsiDipsy
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 10:57 p.m.
My suit is all dirty boy, my shoes is all wore.
Lizzy Alfs
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
This was my go-to place when I lived at State/Packard during college. This was completely different owners than Stadium Market?
Stupid Hick
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:46 a.m.
After I turned 21, I discovered other party stores, closer to where I lived, that had reasonable newspaper prices.
Tim Hornton
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:56 a.m.
That is true Lizzy, they did have everything inside that place.
Lizzy Alfs
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:53 a.m.
Haha well have you been to any of the campus stores? Higher prices and inventory isn't as good! We always drove to this one, Stadium Market for prepared things, and sometimes Meijer.
Tim Hornton
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:30 a.m.
Ya really. That is a far drive just for alcohol from state and packard. Maybe she wanted a hot and ready close buy. I miss the hungry howies across the street the most over there.
smokeblwr
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
Lizzy, are you sure? Stadium Party Shoppe is a long haul from State/Packard. There are lots of places near State and Packard where one can find lotto tickets, booze, and cigarettes. Although I'm sure you were just picking up a newspaper!
Ben Freed
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.
Interestingly enough, according to state records Stadium Market is owned by George Brothers & Associates Inc. It's the George Vs. Georges it looks like!
Some Guy in 734
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
The same family owns Huckleberry on Washtenaw... they could certainly be reached there. Whether they comment is anyone's guess.
brimble
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 8:16 p.m.
The now-missing sign to the right said, "Lotto", but they lost the license to sell lottery tickets six or eight months ago. The shelves were getting a little more thinly-stocked, too. Both of those suggest that the cash-flow was going sideways.
Mangohater
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.
Why was my comment deleated? It's a Fact, and it's true that I called bs. I didn't swear.
Ben Freed
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 9:07 p.m.
Thanks for the info on the Lotto sign!