Cherry Republic confirms new Ann Arbor store as it expands from Up North to Main Street
February was National Cherry month, but April will be the month to celebrate it in Ann Arbor.
Cherry Republic, a Michigan-based retailer established in 1989, will be expanding the cherry empire to the streets of Ann Arbor, its owner confirms. The new location will be at 223 S. Main St., the location at the corner of Main and Liberty that, until recently, housed Occasionally Gift Shop.
“We’re excited,” owner and founder Bob Sutherland says about the newest Michigan store.
Sutherland says he took about four trips to Ann Arbor over the past six months, meeting with many local merchants, property owners, and officials.
"I personally love the city and look forward to spending time enjoying the city when I am not working; and meeting its citizens while I am working.” He says Ann Arbor has an entirely different feel than the other three Cherry Republic locations, all of which share the common company tagline: Life, Liberty, Beaches, and Pie.
Cherry Republic's Charlevoix location, as photographed during the recent Flurry Fest 2011.
Sutherland sees Ann Arbor as similar to a metropolitan area with a much larger population.
“A lot of people come to Ann Arbor, and this is their Michigan experience. There is a great opportunity for people to learn and engage; …Michigan is home to the number one cherry growing region in the world. Cherries are our state's signature fruit, our signature product.”
Cherry Republic playfully states its mission as the peaceful advancement of the world's greatest fruit, the cherry. And that it does with products such as Chocolate Covered Cherries, Cherry Salsa, Cherry BBQ sauce, Cherry Jam, Cherry Jelly, Cherry Wine, Cherry Baked Goods, Cherry Cookies, Cherry Brownies, Cherry Soda Pop — more than 170 different cherry products.
The company currently does about 40 percent of its business online, but Sutherland feels the Ann Arbor storefront’s strategic location along with its new face and approach will make it a targeted destination on Main Street. He plans to keep the shop open late, “even if we break even,” noting that the Traverse City store is often open until 10 or 11 p.m. during its busy summer season.
Sutherland also shared what he feels to be his secret to success: generosity. He said visitors to the Ann Arbor store can expect plenty of tastings.
"We expect to give away over $10,000 worth of samples.” Sutherland insists that the generosity does not stop there, however. Over the last several years, Cherry Republic has committed to donating “1 percent off the top” to support local farmland preservation efforts as well as quality of life and environmental efforts.
Currently, Cherry republic has 90 fulltime equivalent positions, and Sutherland plans to hire 12 employees for the Ann Arbor store by its projected opening date of April 25.
Lead Shopping Contributor Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail and business news in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com.
Comments
eaglesk1
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
I can't tell you how excited I was when I heard Cherry Repulic was coming to Ann Arbor! I almost didn't believe it so I Googled it to see if it was true!! My summer is not complete unless I go to Glenn Arbor and get some Boomchunka Cookies (thick, chewy oatmeal cookie w/white Chocolate & dried cherries). I stock up and put them in my freezer and ration them through the winter! I absolutely recommend trying these great cookies, cherry pop, and many other fabulous items. Their products are made in Michigan and will make you smile.
Sallyxyz
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 10:32 p.m.
I'm glad to see new retail coming into that corner spot on Main St. And I've visited their TC store and it's very nice, albeit overpriced. But, when you think about it, downtown A2 has turned into a very high priced place over the last 20 years. Remember "real" stores on Main Street, like Klines Dept store and Lucky Drugs? Those and others like them are long gone to make way for overpriced boutiques, overpriced galleries, overpriced restaurants and overpriced gift shops. Main Street in A2 is not a diverse city street with a wide range of dining and shopping options for residents. It is a tourist destination and priced accordingly, for the "rich" students and their parents, and for the tourists. The Main St rents have escalated to the point that businesses need to be very high profit, such as restaurants and bars or overpriced boutiques, in order to make any profit and stay in business. It's all about greed, folks. Greedy landlords have pushed out many fine businesses over the years. I hope the cherry store can survive, but time will tell if their high prices yield enough profits to pay the sky high rents.
BobbyJohn
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
Sally, well put I, however, don't care if the store succeeds because I have no use, personally, for overpriced products like these
BobbyJohn
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
I guess I am alone in being disappointed with Cherry Republic filling that same spot. Mostly overpriced product, mostly suitable for thos e from West Bloomfield environs to buy as gifts for those with more money than sense
pegret
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
Love the Glen Arbor store! Will they be selling ice cream & sandwiches too? They have the best cherry-chicken salad sandwich ever.
My2bits
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
I love Cherry Republic! I ordered on line from them for Valentine's Day. Remember American Spoon Foods, another up north Michigan company whose products I enjoyed. They opened a store on Liberty near the Michigan Theater. Does anyone know why that did not last for them?
JenM
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
Welcome to Ann Arbor Cherry Republic! What a fun addition to downtown. While I also have noted their products can be pricey, I'll be happy to have Michigan pricey stuff over huge international corporation pricey stuff!
Dan Ezekiel
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
I am delighted to know that Cherry Republic is coming to Ann Arbor. I have enjoyed their products in Glen Arbor for years; their cherry pie is the best pie I have ever tasted. It is going to be dangerous for me to have that pie so close at hand! Bob Sutherland is a character similar to Ari and Paul of Zingerman's, he serves imaginative food, creates a fun atmosphere, and does well by doing good. The business helps preserve cherry farms in N. Michigan by buying hundreds of tons of their cherries annually, and the business donates to land preservation causes. Welcome to Ann Arbor, Cherry Republic!
rsa221
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
Congratulations to the Cherry Republic! This will be an exciting addition to our town. :)
Buster W.
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
We visit the Glen Arbor location every summer while staying in the Leelanau Peninsula. Real nice store but man oh man are they pricey!
David Briegel
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
I remember sampling virtually everything and being very pleased by their quality and the flavors! If this is as popular as the Glen Arbor store, everyone will be happy! Welcome to Ann Arbor.
Some Guy in A2
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
Agreed on selling wines. I was just up in TC the other week but didn't have enough time to pick up any bottles.
LiberalNIMBY
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
Awesome—welcome to Ann Arbor! Now if we can just poke a door and some windows in the side wall...
Kevin
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
I'm sad to see the gift store leave, but I'm glad to know what's coming in. I hope they'll be selling the Cherry Republic wines as well. I love the Liberty and the Balaton wines.
A2K
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
Cool! I love the original store, some great products (esp. as we don't get up to TC as often as we'd like...)