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New Italian-American Restaurant To Open On The Corner Of Liberty And First

New Italian-American Restaurant To Open On The Corner Of Liberty And First

March 10, 2025

Morning, Ann Arbor! Look at that forecast. It’s officially porch and patio season. Goodbye sunlamps, hello outdoor dining!

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🇮🇹 Alo’s Restaurant: Big news for Ann Arbor foodies—James Beard-nominated chef Max Sussman is launching Alo’s, a new Italian-American restaurant at 221 W Liberty St. Slated to open in 2025, the spot will serve pizza, pasta, wine, and more in a modern yet casual setting. According to liquor license documents, the space, formerly home to Aroma Indian Cuisine, will be renovated to include outdoor seating and will have seating for 68 people (46 inside, 32 outside). Alo’s plans to be open daily from 12-10 p.m. and has launched Alo’s Angels, a fundraising initiative offering perks like custom cocktails and private dining experiences. You can follow @alosannarbor on Instagram for updates.

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🍹 Kava Bar: Ann Arbor is getting its first kava bar (kava is a traditional Pacific Island drink known for its calming effects—think “bar buzz” without the booze). Kava Culture is set to open at 332 Maynard St., taking over the former Axe Ventura space. The bar will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and will serve kava-based drinks and other non-alcoholic cocktails.

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🚧 Bike Lanes, Safety Upgrades: Expect a lot of construction on Pauline Blvd. Last week, Ann Arbor City Council approved a $5.4 million project to resurface the road, replace a nearly 100-year-old water main, and add on-street bike lanes between Main and Seventh streets. The project also includes raised intersections, a raised crosswalk, a speed hump, and ADA-accessible ramps to slow down traffic and improve pedestrian safety. To make room for the bike lanes, on-street parking will be moved to the south side of the road. Construction is set to kick off in April and wrap up by late August or early September, just in time to avoid University of Michigan football traffic.

People’s Food Co-Op

🥕 People's Food Co-op in Ann Arbor: A community-owned, full-service grocery store located in the heart of Ann Arbor's Kerrytown District, committed to supporting local farmers and sustainable producers. Proudly offering natural and organic foods, with a focus on local and eco-friendly options. Explore our offerings and learn more about how you can be part of our community at PeoplesFood.coop.

CRG

🏗️ Chapter Ann Arbor: Last week, the city’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a new 19-story apartment complex on the corner of Church Street and South U. The building, Chapter Ann Arbor, will feature 183 rooms with 625 beds and ground-floor retail. The project was approved for a 30% height bonus for its sustainability features, including solar panels and a design allowing full electrification in the future. Amenities include a fitness center, rooftop terrace, and social spaces—but no car parking, just 80+ bike spaces and improved pedestrian corridors.

Open AI

🤖 UMichGPT: Last week, U of M announced a new research partnership with Open AI (the company behind ChatGPT). The partnership, known as NextGenAI, is a $50 million initiative uniting 15 leading institutions to drive AI research and education to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and prepare the next generation of AI leaders. President Santa Ono calls the partnership the start of a long and meaningful collaboration, reinforcing U-M’s strategy to become a leader in AI research. Here’s a cool 3-minute video explaining the partnership.