ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A century-old business in Downtown Ann Arbor is set to close by the end of the year due to financial struggles.
The owner of Downtown Home & Garden, located at 210 South Ashley, announced that Dec. 24, 2025, will be the store’s last day in business.
“It was a turbulent ride through COVID and its economic ups and downs. We are currently at pre-pandemic volume with post-pandemic expenses. That makes a tight formula even tighter,” the store’s owner, Kelly Vore, said in a post.
“The past two years have been unreliable as far as establishing any kind of base-line. Historically dependable metrics and profitability have been elusive. The chilly spring of 2025 and a deeper pullback on consumer spending did not advance our cause,” according to the post.
The business owner also cited the city’s soaring rental rates as a factor in the closure.
“When I opted in for a 2025-2029 lease renewal, I was granted one year (2025) with conditions: Circumstances had to improve in order to absorb a 26% rent increase in 2025 and +12% in 2026,” according to the post. ” So, even with the progress we have made reducing expenses and downsizing, the push to market-align with Ann Arbor’s soaring rental rates, is not sustainable.”
Now through Dec. 24, 2025, there will be progressive markdowns on items at Downtown Home & Garden.
The owner hopes to have a “solid finish” to “properly reward” her staff.
“It has been our sincere pleasure to be your trusted resource. To meet your out of town guests, to offer a place you can proudly show as a one-of-a-kind shop, who know your name (or we at least for sure know your dog’s name),” according to the post. “We’ve watched your kids grow up, weathered a pandemic and helped each other through countless ups and downs, growing seasons, holidays and simply enjoyed the quiet days when all we have to talk about is birdseed and the weather.”
The store was originally opened by the Hertler family as a livery stable in 1906, according to Downtown Home & Garden’s website.
Since then, it has evolved into a store that offers a variety of garden supplies, home and garden plants, kitchenware, durable outdoor clothing and more. For more details about the products Downtown Home and Garden sells, visit here.
Here are some stories Local 4 has done on Downtown Home & Garden in the past:
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