You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.

La Pita Fresh signs deal to open restaurant in ex-Beyond Juice in downtown Ann Arbor

By Paula Gardner

A Metro Detroit Mediterranean restaurant operator will expand into Ann Arbor this spring after signing a deal for the former Beyond Juice space on East Liberty Street.

La Pita Fresh, which operates near the Wayne State University campus in Detroit, had sought a location in Ann Arbor for some time, said Michael Giraud of Colliers International in Ann Arbor.

Owner Kasey Chammout signed the lease for the 1,850-square-foot space this month, Giraud said, and now is starting minimal modifications to the restaurant.

Chammout wasn't available to comment for this story.

The location at 529 E. Liberty — steps from The Michigan Theater and the campus-oriented South State Street — remains in high demand, Giraud said.

"We had numerous groups that were interested in the space," Giraud said. "All were food-related."

The landlord, Boston-based MTBU LLC, decided on La Pita Fresh in part because of the concept and Chammout's business experience, Giraud said.

The storefront became available when Beyond Juice closed in December.

Chammout's company is based in Dearborn, where he also operates two affiliated restaurants, according to the corporate Web site.

La Pita Fresh is the second Middle Eastern restaurant to open in the vicinity this year. La Marsa is moving into the former Cosi on South State at East Liberty.

Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.

Comments

lumberg48108

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.

La Pita is not Lashish ... La Pita in Dearborn is one of the finest restaurants in the city - food is outstanding Dont knock it till you have tried it

mr_annarbor

Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.

What's the big deal? It's better than having an empty storefront. What do you geniuses think should go in there, and do you have the money and the ambition to do it? If so, please do it. If not, quit complaining.

M. D,

Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.

Perfect for tastebudless students who haven't quite wandered as far as 5th Ave. Let's trade the dispensary moratorium for one on cheap food franchises.

katznjammer

Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.

Yuck. More half-empty food joints. The integrity of this area is going downhill fast.

Atticus F.

Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.

Perfect, now we will have 2 fake La Shish franchises opening up. Perhaps we could open up another burger joint there, and the area could be know as generic franchise row...