ANN ARBOR, MI — Downtown Ann Arbor has long seen two neighboring “gardens” attached at the hip. Bill’s Beer Garden operates out of Downtown Home & Garden’s parking lot on the South Ashley Street property.
Despite Downtown Home & Garden’s recently announced closure, beers will continue to bloom at Bill’s, its owner confirmed.
Owner Scot Greig and general manager Eric Parziale have no plans to close their popular business.
“We’ll look forward to the future, but our future is being Bill’s Beer Garden the same as it was,” Greig said.
The update comes as Home & Garden owner Kelly Vore announced that the store’s final day of operation will be Dec. 24, after remaining in business for over a century. Both businesses operate on South Ashley Street and share the same landlord, Mark Hodesh.
Greig said he felt disappointed when he learned about the sister store’s closure but clarified that Bill’s is a separate business from the home and garden store.
“It’s disappointing,” Greig said. “We have a great relationship with them and we’re sorry that they’re closing, but we’re a separate business and we’re looking forward to being here for years and years.”
Parziale said it was “sad to see a neighbor go” but wanted to maintain their business presence on the block.
“We’ll hold down the parking lot and we’ll keep doing what we’re doing,” Parziale said. “Nothing’s going to change for us. They’re going to be here until the end of the year and we’re going to be here until the end of the year and we’re going to be here next year, too.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greig and Parziale came together to revitalize the outdoor bar after Parziale’s stint at Necto, 516 E. Liberty St. Parziale shared the difficulties they experienced when they first opened the bar due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We were doing tableside service and walking around with handhelds, and everybody had to be seated,” Parziale said. “We could only fit so many people. Everybody had to be distanced away.”
Greig mentioned although it “took a while” to start up the business, “we got it done and it’s been a great experience.”
Bill’s, according to Parziale, is regularly open to visitors from mid-March to mid-November, apart from one day in December when they host Midnight Madness, an annual tradition of giving away their drinks to patrons before the bar closes for the season.
The two also expressed excitement over the outdoor bar’s weekend and seasonal traditions. Greig said Bill’s hosts Saturday game nights and patrons often come with their families and pets. According to him, students often visit during football season on Thursdays and Fridays for games and other events.
“We’re part of the community as a whole,” Greig said.
Bruce Umpstead, an Ann Arbor resident, said he comes to the outdoor bar “at least once a week” during the summer. He said Bill’s is different from other bars in the neighborhood because of the open roof and bar ownership.
“I like the open air,” Umpstead said. “I met the owners last time. They’re a great couple. They’re committed to keeping the beer garden open even though the (Downtown Home & Garden) is going to close. Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen with the rest of the property, but they said until they die, they’re going to keep the beer garden open.”
Kate Farris, an out-of-town visitor, said she has visited the outdoor bar “a handful of times over the years.” She mentioned she likes Bill’s because she was “all about the good beer selections.”
Like Umpstead, Farris said she supports the bar ownership and the business being local to Ann Arbor.
“I like good ownership, and I like to support local instead of chain places,” Farris said.
Kelsey Nguyen, an incoming first-year student at the University of Michigan, said she came to Bill’s because she wanted to spend time outside and see Downtown Ann Arbor more after attending her day-long freshman orientation. She said she noticed the outdoor bar’s bustling atmosphere.
“We see all the lights and it’s pretty busy and bustling, so we wanted to see what makes it so popular,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen shared her satisfaction about the neighborhood for its strong appeal to college students.
“It actually seems super nice,” Nguyen said. “I can see why it’s always highly ranked as one of the best college towns in the nation…different storefronts that would appeal to college students, like different coffee stores, like vintage clothing stores, bookstores, and seems like it has a good nightlife as well.”
Greig said he remains committed in continuing to make Bill’s an entertaining spot for visit.
“We just want to do what we’re doing now,” Greig said. “Provide a great product and a great atmosphere for, evening destination for people who like beer.”
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