Amer's Deli closing in Michigan Union after 19 years of business

Posted on Thu, May 2, 2013 : 5:43 p.m.

Amer's Deli closing in Michigan Union after 19 years of business

By Ben Freed

After nearly 20 years in the Michigan Union, Amer’s Mediterranean Deli will close its doors for good Saturday, May 4.

According to a report in the Michigan Daily, an anonymous Facebook campaign that garnered more than 1,100 likes was not enough to save the restaurant.

The Michigan Union declined to keep Amer's Deli, opting to pursue Ahmo's Gyros and Deli as the primary Mediterranean option for students.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

In the Daily’s story, owner Amer Bathish expressed frustration with the university for not giving him an opportunity to extend his lease. The Union announced in April that another Mediterranean deli, Ahmo’s Gyro's and Deli, will be opening on the ground floor once renovations to the Michigan Union Grill area are complete.

According to the Daily, a “Summer Selections” area will be set up outside what is currently Amer’s during the renovations. The selections will have a rotation of local food vendors including Palm Palace, The Jamaican Jerk Pit and the Earthen Jar. Amer’s has two remaining locations near campus, one on South State Street near the Diag and the other on Church Street above Rick’s American Cafe.

Read the full story from the Michigan Daily.

Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2

Comments

pegret

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.

Yes, their cappucinos & mochas were weak. But they did carry those "to-die-for" cinnamon rolls from The Croissant Shop!

Kellie Woodhouse

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 3:49 p.m.

Ahmo's isn't exactly known for their coffee and there has to be a coffee option at a student union. I'll be interested to learn what the new coffee spot is.

hail2thevict0r

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.

I'm not sure what the big deal is considering there's an Amer's literally 3 blocks down state street from the Union.

Lizzy Alfs

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 3 p.m.

That's a good point, although a lot of students do study in the Amer's in the Union. There's a little more hustle and bustle than some of the "study rooms" there.

UM owns

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.

Their prices were getting out of hand -- $8+ for a normal-sized sandwich with a pickle?

you can't handle the truth

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:48 p.m.

So sad. I guess I will have to find another 20 dollar sandwich joint to spend mommy and daddy's money.

Eep

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.

Maybe the University is making room so that Blimpy Burger can move into the Union.

Lizzy Alfs

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.

Now wouldn't that be interesting... There might be some issues with that though -- the HVAC and kitchen equipment that Blimpy would require might not be plausible inside the Union...that's a question I'll have to ask the UM Union rep.

seekingsun

Thu, May 2, 2013 : 11:21 p.m.

the Amer's at the Union had horrible service. Always only one person there both making drinks and running the register. so glad that there will be something else more interesting...

Jay Thomas

Thu, May 2, 2013 : 11:16 p.m.

The Issa's have more pull. They also got EMU President Martin to allow students from their native country of Jordan to come to EMU on an in state tuition rate (while students from Ohio would have to pay the full load).

Ian

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.

What are you talking about

stinkywinkie

Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:41 a.m.

Doubt this happened. The Ohio / Michigan tuition agreement is still active.

dancinginmysoul

Thu, May 2, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.

When did the tuition guidelines with Ohio change? Because I have 2 friends from Ohio who attended EMU with instate tuition rates.