New tenant for ex-Circuit City in Arborland? Construction begins at long-vacant space
Following a three-year vacancy, construction is under way at the former Circuit City in Arborland.
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
Crews started interior demolition at the former Circuit City in Ann Arbor this week.
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
But after years of vacancy, construction activity recently began at the space.
The Circuit City sign was removed this week and construction crews at the site told AnnArbor.com interior demolition is under way.
The space is situated on the west end of Arborland, between Famous Footwear and Petco. It’s located near the former Borders store — which is being replaced by beauty superstore Ulta and five below, a discount retailer that targets teens and pre-teen customers.
The 30,000-square-foot space is listed for lease for $14-per-square-foot with Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services' Michael Lippitt and Rick Shlom, who did not respond to several requests for comment. A Landmark “For Lease” sign remains in the window of the space.
Denise Eckardt of Connecticut-based AmCap Inc. — the company that owns Arborland Center — said no lease has been signed yet for the space but negotiations are under way.
The activity comes amid several other changes at the shopping center on Washtenaw Avenue. Among them:
--Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened in the outlot portion of the center.
--A Sleep Number store relocated from Briarwood Mall to Arborland’s outlot.
--BeautyFirst, a chain cosmetics retailer and salon, closed its Arborland location.
--Old Navy downsized its store, creating room for a new 6,000-square-foot tenant.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Smilin Milan Dad
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
IKEA
amazingblue
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
I work at another store in Arborland and the Nordstrom Rack seems to be thought of as pretty definitely on the way.
justin
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.
Maybe put another Whole Foods in there so there's a place to park, and make it decent like the Cranbrook location since the current washtenaw one is pretty terrible.
vivian
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:14 p.m.
I think that what we need most is a Half-Price Books. There's one in Columbus, but I don't know of one any closer.
greenstriper
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.
A Microcenter would be great, but what would be even better would be a Fry's Electronics (the nearest ones are in Indianapolis and in Downers Grove, IL). Fry's is a shopping destination for a number of people I know. The old Circuit City space could probably fit a Microcenter, but would be too tight a fit for a Fry's. And while I'm dreaming, I wish that I had a pony.
greenstriper
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
My experience with the service at the Ann Arbor Circuit City was uniformly bad. After the third time that salespeople ignored my wife when she was actively trying to purchase computers or a TV, we wrote the place off-- on a slow afternoon, you shouldn't have to hunt down salespeople. She never had that problem anywhere else in Ann Arbor when she walked in with money and ready to buy. I was not unhappy to see the go.
Angry Moderate
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
As a former employee, I agree--it was a terrible store.
craigjjs
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.
In essence "blew chunks".
TommyJ
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.
My wife works at Hillers and she says it's Nordstrom's.
say it plain
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
I would be totally fine with a Nordstrom or a Nordstrom Rack, btw, just feel it's unlikely in that space, particularly with how it would seem to be heading 'downscale' with five below and ulta, you know?
Frank
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
i would love a Nordstrom. There are no good department stores in Ann Arbor
a2gretta
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:56 a.m.
That would be wonderful, but I would prefer Nordstrom's in Border's downtown location.
Lizzy Alfs
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
I've heard the rumor about a Nordstrom Rack store, too. I did look into it and heard the following: Nordstrom PR said Nordstrom would love to better serve the Ann Arbor area but there is no deal in place yet. A representative from AmCap, the owner of Arborland, said a lease has not yet been signed and they have a confidentiality agreement with the tenant they are in negotiations with. (By the way, a Nordstrom Rack is an off-price Nordstrom retailer. There are locations in Troy and Grand Rapids) No permits have been pulled with the city of Ann Arbor related to the Circuit City space. They could be very close on finalizing the deal, however, and I will stay updated!
Marianne Smith
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
Nordstrom Rack would be awesome!! Almost as good as SteinMart
Tom Teague
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.
It's about the right size for a Norstrom Rack, but seems too small for a full up Nordstrom Department Store. However, if it is a Nordstrom, line forms behind me.
hail2thevict0r
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
That would be a great addition.
TommyJ
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
The site manager told her the lease is already signed. This has been known for a while.
say it plain
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:04 a.m.
Lol
Ron Granger
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
Bongs and Thongs outlet store! It's Pittsfield, so they won't be oppressed by restrictive A2 ordinances that prohibit phallic items yet allow street names like Felch and Hiscock.
Basic Bob
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
Very much inside Ann Arbor, even though it is past Platt Road it is NOT YPSI.
johnnya2
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:29 a.m.
That is NOT Pittsfield
hail2thevict0r
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
I guess it's a good thing that the biggest news story in our little town is the removal of a sign on a shopping center storefront.
johnnya2
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
How about a medical marijuana store that also sells porn and adult toys?
seriouslyfolks
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
So basically you are reporting on the fact that they removed the Circuit City sign??? Not sure I would return you calls either.
a2why
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
A Container Store so the city government can acquire more buckets...
Fender66
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
A sports bar, or a Sidetrack West would be cool there.
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
The new Village Pub is not too far...
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:10 p.m.
Another sports bar are you kidding?!?! you can't swing a dead possum w/o hitting one!!
AnnArborDon
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
How about a Trader Joe's that's actually big enough for Ann Arbor?
a2gretta
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:54 a.m.
No! We need Trader Joe's on the west side of town!
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Good one, AnnArborDon. i'm partial to Trader Joe.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
That would be a good place for them instead of where they are now.
Rabid Wolverine
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
Indoor karting track.
Townie Kid
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
I would love to see a MicroCenter in Ann Arbor...if you haven't been to the one in Troy, you don't know what you're missing...
Basic Bob
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
Microcenter gets my vote. I love the store brand USB drives, Dust-Off, and just browsing through the mobos and video cards.
Hume
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 10:54 a.m.
I second that Townie!! MicroCenter would be awsome!
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
townie kid, what IS a microcenter? plz advise.
Greggy_D
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
That is an absolutely phenomenal idea!!! MicroCenter ROCKS!
hermhawk
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
No matter who replaces Circuit City, I miss that place. It is sad that they are no longer in business as a on site store, but it is another sign of the wretched economy.
N. Todd
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
@hermhawk - Circuit City, as you knew it, is no longer in business as an on-site store, or an online store. Although circuitcity.com exists today, it was purchased by Systemax, the company that also operates Tigerdirect.com. If you compare the two sites, you'll see the similarities. It is not simply the old Circuit City only operating online.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.
hermhawk, you are so right. I too miss Circuit City. our hi-def TV in the living room is a constant reminder and I can't for the life of me imagine why people voted you down. sheeeeesh.
Ross
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Dude, circuit city kind of blew chunks. I didn't think anyone missed that abomination of a tech store.
god's hammer
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
Apple Store
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
I'd love to see a Crate & Barrel in Ann Arbor.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
Bertha, jeez, where have I been?! what's a Crate & Barrell? (I still don't know what a container store is..)
johnnya2
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
A Crate and Barrel would be great for downtown Borders or here. Though maybe it is better I can not make trips there too often
Pat
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
Just what I was thinking! Also would love a Container store -there are none in Michigan!
Dave
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
Liquor Barn!
Angry Moderate
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
That close to EMU?!? The Board of Regents would throw a fit.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:01 p.m.
good news for the binge drinker, ha-ha.
zeeba
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
Well, they're already getting Big Lots on Lohr Rd., so I guess this one has to be a Family Dollar.
jns131
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.
Andy? Any we have visited is packed. There is one up by Rochester and it is packed and the one we did visit in Cincinnati? Don't ask. Yes, a Golden Corral off the highway? Will be booked.
FaithInYpsi
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.
Big Lots is around the corner on Ellsworth
Andy Frazier
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
I agree with @jns131 - a Golden Corral in this area would be Heaven! The one in Westland is always packed!
jns131
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
Why not another Big Lots? Or how bout a nice buffet style restaurant? Golden Corral maybe?
unclemercy
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
a riveting tale full of suspense and intrigue. must read.
Dave
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
How about a Container Store?
Ariel
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
My vote is for The Container Store. I want an Elfa closet!
Indymama
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
GREAT!! The closest one to AA just opened recently in Indianpolis, IN, and I have been planning a trip there to pick up a few items I've been looking for here to no avail!! For those of you who don't know what this store is...it carries many, many items that help one organize storage. Such as: jewelry containers, closet items for shoes, hanging items, almost every imaginable kind of storage boxes/containers for every room in the house/apt. They are very utilitarian or stylish depending on your preference. Look them up on the web and browse through their catalogue.
Tom Teague
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
Madeleine - a store that sells a huge variety of home and office organizational items. Mostly upscale, but there's also a range of more affordable stuff.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
Dave, I'm a little fuzzy here. What exactly IS a container store?
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
there aren't any in Michigan at the moment according to their store locator
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
I had to Goggle it up Ross. Evidently your not far off. http://www.containerstore.com/welcome.htm
Lola
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
I have never heard of a container store. I usually just save Chinese take-out containers when I need things to store my left-overs. ;-) But seriously, what is a container store?
Ross
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Am I that dense? What is a container store? A store for buying containers? Like a tupper ware store? haha.
Pat
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
YES!
Terri Eagen-Torkko
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Agreed! If not here, then the #1 Borders former location downtown.
Andy Frazier
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
@Dave - I agree with you 100%! My wife and I have been wishing for a Container Store in this area. I think it would do GREAT business!
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.
Readers: Any ideas on what you think would be a good fit for this space?
sellers
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
Yonker's Department Store - something unique (albeit chain) to the region.
actionjackson
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 10:37 a.m.
Farmland where I used to hunt pheasant until 1959.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11 p.m.
Lizzy, maybe a buy-in-bulk kind of place?
Marianne Smith
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
Stein Mart!!!