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Posted on Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:55 a.m.

Tim Hortons signs deals to open 2 stores on long-vacant sites in Ann Arbor

By Paula Gardner

Tim Hortons plans to expand its coffeeshops into Ann Arbor, signing recent deals to build stores on two long-vacant sites in the city.

enzos.jpg

This marketing map shows the location of the new Tim Hortons proposed for Ellsworth in Ann Arbor, along with the neighboring property that's still available - and the Costco about 1/2-mile west.

From Landmark Commercial Real Estate

The first will be on the site of the former Enzo’s at the northeast corner of State and Ellsworth Roads.

The second will be in Maple Village on the site of the former Golden Chef Restaurant, which was destroyed by fire in 2006.

“We’re excited about the opportunities that we have in Ann Arbor, “ said Eric Ramsey, real estate manager for the Oakville, Ontario-based chain.

“Michigan is one of our hotter markets (for expansion).”

The locations the chain chose in Ann Arbor signify redevelopment for both properties.

At the former Enzo’s, owned by First Martin Corp., the deal means the company will steer away from approved plans to convert the former restaurant into a small retail center, said Mike Martin.

Instead, it will present site plans to the city to build a 1,700-square-foot store with a drive-through, leaving First Martin space on the property — after it demolishes the existing structure — to build a second retail building.

The plans will have both buildings fronting Ellsworth, where land for another planned retail center and a remodeled Speedway sit on the south side.

“I’m pretty confident we’ll find another similar user,” Martin said.

First Martin's plans for the property changed as the economy slowed along with potential leasing, Martin said. Eventually, the chance to locate a national or regional restaurant on the property, using a ground lease, made more sense than developing it on spec.

Tim Hortons had considered the property for some time, Martin added, even before Costco announced plans to build about a half mile west.

“It’s a very nice plus,” Martin said, noting that it will increase traffic and visibility at the intersection. “… Traffic counts are important to retailers.”

The second location in the former Golden Chef at 175 N. Maple is near English Gardens in Maple Village. The center also is home to Plum Market, one of its newer tenants, as well as established stores like Kmart. It’s managed by Centro Properties in New York.

In both proposals, Tim Hortons will submit site plans to the city to build the new stores.

The company also is winnowing applicants from franchisees seeking to operate the stores, which Ramsey said will employ about 20 each.

Tim Hortons had 3,811 stores as of July 3, according to its corporate information. Of those, 622 were in the U.S., where it’s expanding in select regional markets.

The brand is familiar to Washtenaw County: There’s a store in Ypsilanti Township at Michigan Avenue and Hewitt, and one operated jointly with Wendy’s on Boardwalk for several years when the two brands shared a corporate structure.

Today, Tim Hortons has a marketing deal with the University of Michigan, preserving its exposure in the Ann Arbor market.

“We have the exclusive coffee rights for football, basketball and hockey (games) at U-M,” Ramsey said.

Meanwhile, Tim Hortons is still seeking locations for at least one new store in the Ann Arbor area, possibly downtown.

“We haven’t set a specific number,” Ramsey said. “We are looking at different areas.”

Comments

Kai Petainen

Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.

in canada you get huge lines at the tim hortons drivethru. This is going to be awesome... donuts and extra money as tickets are given for idling in line. Food and money. Perfect.

Urban Sombrero

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.

I like their coffee OK in a pinch. It's not the greatest, but it passes. Still, I wish the Washtenaw Dairy would open a franchise or twelve. You want good donuts? Look no further. I don't even like donuts, but theirs are so good I'll make an exception.

Kai Petainen

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.

roll up the rim! oh canada! sweet... starbucks might have some competition. <a href="http://blogs-images.forbes.com/kaipetainen/files/2011/03/IMG_2384.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://blogs-images.forbes.com/kaipetainen/files/2011/03/IMG_2384.jpg</a> now we just need a swiss chalet and some poutine.

Basic Bob

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.

Poutine is just wrong, but I love it anyway!

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.

I've been saying this for years, but lots of good things come from Canada. Time to get 'oot and aboot' to check things out, eh?

Barb

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.

Yay! I love all the options we will have in that area (westside). I love Zing donuts and coffee but I can't justify spending that much on a regular basis (I also hate trying to get out of Westgate's lot)... I also like Biggby but I prefer a drive-thru in the mornings. We'll see how Tim's does. Not a big fan of their baked goods but I do like their coffee.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.

No maple-glazed donuts for you? Timbits? Mmmmm....

Lynn Liston

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.

Maybe they should reconsider that Maple Rd location. With Village Kitchen and Plum right next door, Dimo's a few blocks away, Barry Bagels, Star's Cafe and Zingerman's on the next corner, Coffee and Chocolate just a skip past the corner- all these local-and-Michigan family-owned businesses seem to be doing a great job serving our coffee and pastry needs.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:27 p.m.

LL: As a far-west-side consumer, and a small businessperson, I strongly disagree. That's a perfect location for the TH shop. Think of the potential customers within about a one- or two-mile radius of there. Tons of folks that aren't Richie Rich.... .. and I doubt that Barry Bagels (while I do buy their bagels regularly, though) or Plum Market are local companies. And don't even get me started about the dreck served at Village Kitchen, girl (or guy, as the case may be)!

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.

competition loves company ...

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.

that is if you liked thier coffee and their pastries, since I do not I don't go there, but I would go to a TH

Halter

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.

Big big difference between those and a decently priced easy-in easy-out Tim Hortons drive through...look at the neighborhood dynamics as it is...for every one car that goes to Zingermans, 70 go to McDonalds...why? Cheap, decent, and really fast.

A2Susie

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.

When I'm on that side of town I almost always drive through the drive-through at Zingerman's Roadhouse for their wonderful coffee and amazing doughnuts. I don't think Tim's can compete with that. Tim's coffee is, excuse the expression, horrible. I like their sandwiches though.

KathrynHahn

Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 9:45 a.m.

Never understood the appeal of Zingermans...unless you have money to burn, and not much of a palate!

Halter

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.

Yuck...Zingermans donuts just are plain awful...and I've never been able to drive through without a 15 minute wait...no thanks

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.

I agree with CBG about the human pin cushions, it is a worse site when one of their piercings looks infected, yuck.

Some Guy in 734

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.

I tried a Zingerman's donut once and that was plenty. During the eleven minutes I waited, two separate worker-bees brag/apologized with the same phrase: &quot;We fry OURS to ORDER!&quot; What I got was overpriced, oil-sodden, burned to a fare-thee-well, and worst, tepid. All but the first bite went into the trash. Blessings be to Messrs Saginaw and Weinzweig if they can somehow remain in business with that as their product, but personalty I can't imagine Tim Horton's having trouble competing.

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.

I quit going to the Zingerman's drive through there because I always lost my appetite when being served by the human pin-cushions that work there.

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.

I don't like Zingermans coffee, I also don't like the prices. Luckily there are many places serving different coffees that people can freely select the one that suits them. Obviously Zingermans wasn't interested in the old Golden Chef space, it has been an eyesore for so long that I am happy it will be updated and used. I acknowledge ZIngermans saved the old Bill Knapp space but I actually think it is easier to get in and out of the Maple Village complex than it is the Westgate complex. They should widen/redo the entrace near the big sign and close off the one that is immediatly near the road house on the Jackson side. Insane people try to turn left into the parking lot, exiting from that point means a right turn only most of the day with a long wait to do so.

mun

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.

Enzo's. I remember when it was Trippers, then Gallagher's. Nice to see those vacancies being filled. Now lets fill the vacancies at Arborland.

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.

I took repeated lamentations as a complaint. I think that's not such a stretch. But I accept your statement that you weren't complaining.

a2citizen

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.

Chuck, that's a bit presumptuous on your part to accuse me of complaining. I'm not complaining. I surprised that you of all people would jump to a conclusion. I'm just going down Memory Lane with the rest of you. And speaking of Memory Lane, I remember when Memory Lane was just a path in a field,...

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.

a2, wherever you live - house, apt, homeless shelter - used to be trees and natural habitat. You'd better leave wherever that is to avoid hypocrisy. If you find some place on the Earth that wasn't previously home to some other living organism, let us know.

a2citizen

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.

I remember when it was a field with beautiful trees.

russellr

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.

That's fantastick! I have missed Tim Horton's since they went out at Wendy's. on Boardwalk. Also great news to revitalize these existing buildings. I also agree Baker rd and Jackson rd is prime area for growth. It would be on the I-94 exit with the truck stops and also get Chelsea and Dexter area. I don't know of any Tim Horton's in that area.

Some Guy in 734

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.

And out trot the nay-saying crowd, wringing their hands over another chain making inroads into the fortress. So... basically the city will have exactly as many Tim Horton's locations as it did ten years ago, with the Boardwalk store that was mentioned in the article, and the Michigan League store that wasn't. How exactly is this sending the town to heck in a handbasket, again?

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.

Stop using logic, silly! That doesn't work in TeaPubliKan America - you should know that by now. ;-) P.S. Right on, bro'

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.

&quot;The second location in the former Golden Chef at 175 N. Maple&quot; ... the owners of which were convicted for harboring and hiring illegal immigrants, and since the restaurant burned at about 3am, I think I know where they were living. This was also once a Hardee's and a Burger Chef. Anyone else remember Burger Chef and Jeff?

breadman

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.

My first job as a kid (yesterday) was at burger chef in 1975. Taken orders!

a2citizen

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.

Ah...and Memory Lane. I can remember when it was just a path in a field...

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:54 p.m.

Also... Zips make-your-own sundae shop. Fun Hut arcade. Leather store (Tandy?). SS Kresge. Some flavor of home improvement store (Builder's Square?).

a2citizen

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.

It was also once a pretty meadow with oak trees and wildlife. The trees were razed in the name of progress. I heard the wildlife relocated to a McDonalds parking lot.

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.

well here we go down memory lane! Little Professor use to be in the strip mall too. Fox Village theater was the place to be when growing up. Golden Chef had a fire at 3am, I was always suspicious of that, they had hardly been open during thier business hours or had an empty parking lot for over a year before the fire, even while &quot;open&quot; so I have no idea how they payed the bills until they &quot;had a fire&quot;, how convenient. Tsai's Kitchen use to be in the strip mall too, it was a chinese grocery and take out. Mr Tsai made the BEST chinese food and they always had (what I thought was weird) chinese candy that I had to have.

Buster W.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.

Yes, I completely forgot about Hardee's. I also remember when KMart and Fox Village Theaters were thriving in that retail center.

belboz

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.

Nice to see they can do it without a Brownfield application.

Mick52

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.

Another example of how an anchor stimulates other growth, even though it has not even gone up yet. There is a new (vacant) building on the corner of N Maple and Dexter AA Rd which I think would be a great donut/bagel shop. Perfect location for commuters. It has a parking lot and may be easier in and out than at Maple Village. Its been unoccupied since it went up. Anyone know anything about it? Nice looking little building.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.

CBG: We probably don't agree politically, but we agree about Fazoli's! I wish the one on West Stadium had never closed.... We liked it, but nothing has prospered (or even lasted very long) in that 'death location.' The KFC that is in there now is almost always empty, from what I can see. There have been at least four different restaurants in that building since I've lived in the area (25 years).

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 8 p.m.

Bunny, I was thinking of the same intersection you were, and I think Mick was too, thought he said Dexter and Maple. There currently isn't a vacant building at Dexter and Maple. Now that Dexter and Maple has been cleaned up, I would love to see Miller and Maple cleaned up. Tenants in the former gas station lots would be nice and if whoever owns the NW corner would clean it up that would be nice. I want Fazoli's to come back. I realize I could lose my AnnArborite Card for saying that, but my kids love the place.

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.

oh crap, I was talking about the miller/maple intersection. not sure what building mick is talking about on the corner of maple and dexter. Over there the old Milk Depot was fixed up and is now an Ahmos joint, the building next to it has a convience store and if they are still back there a BBQ joint. Urgent care is on one corner and Aldis is on the other corner, vets park is the fourth corner. Maybe mick52 meant miller/maple, there is a building on the corner that use to be a shell station, completely torn down and built up, it's been done for quite some time and still has no tenant. I think Charlies Brown Ghost was thinking the same corner I was?

Bertha Venation

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.

I drive by that intersection about 3 times a day and can't place the building... Which part of the intersection is it on? I know there's the SJMH Urgent care on one side of Dexter Rd, and Ahmo's on the other side. Aldes and Vet's park. Please help an old woman who is slightly fergitful.

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.

yes an ice cream place or even a coffee shop would be good in that place. The opposite corner, where the Marathon station use to be needs something there too. I read that Speedway owned the site, not sure if that is true, but a speedway would be nice there. The Miller Maple Strip mall has kind of gone down hill over the last ten years. That place needs a good anchor to move in, not that all the tennants are bad but they need something that will bring the traffic in and revitalize the life of the place.

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.

It's been, what, six, seven, eight years since that place was rebuilt? Whoever owns that place must really be taking a bath on it. At one point I read a Subway and a pizza shop was going in, but that must be two years ago now and I'm guessing no longer the story. We think it's a good place for an ice cream shop.

bunnyabbot

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.

YES YES YES YES YES...they finally act on all those emails requesting a TH on the west side of a2 I've sent through their website. Hope they open this location FIRST. As for it hurting Dimos and Barrys I don't see that happening. I haven't gone to either of those places in over 20 years for specific reasons, they are still in business. Super glad that TH will be using the old Golden Chef place as it has been an eyesore for quite some time, the draw of TH will fix that property up nicely and create business traffic for the neighboring businesses. A small mom and pop place most likely couldn't poor the capital into the property to fix it up and become a viable business, I'd rather have a TH than a Starbucks.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.

Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, and yep.... (six yeps). Agreed. Thanks for pestering them! :-)

Bertha Venation

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.

Right on, Bunny! Finally, a coffee s shop we can walk to in Maple Village.

golfer

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.

lets hope they have a drive-in. if not be sure to turn off you car. if not you will get a $100 cup of coffee. what i like about tim's is they dump the pot every 20 min. you get a pretty frest cup of coffee. donuts are pretty good also.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.

Quite frankly, if people are stupid enough to leave a car running while they go in and get a donut or coffee, they deserve a $100 ticket. Maybe two for good measure....

ksr48

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.

The Ellsworth site is clearly a result of the &quot;Costco effect&quot; we will see on business redevelopment and improvement in that area. Thank you Pittsfield township!

Basic Bob

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.

Timmy's new location is in Ann Arbor, not Pittsfield. If you want coffee in Pittsfield, my favorite is Biggby's on Michigan Avenue. Starbucks also has a store in Pittsfield, IMO their coffee is a bit over-roasted.

glimmertwin

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.

I'm happy that there is development, but I have to admit, I wish there were more stories of little mom and pop stores opening or expanding. It seems like the only things that &quot;grow&quot; any more are chains. Good luck to their new locations and I hope people enjoy them.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.

Franchises are the lowest-risk way to start a new business, but also the most restrictive (since they force you to conform to their rigid formulas, and usually buy materials from them, as well as pay them royalties that are a percentage of sales). The trade-off is that (if you selected a good company to buy into) they will really, really want you to succeed , and will help you do so (up to a point). Buying a proven existing business (if done carefully) is a middle-ground, risk-wise. Starting a business from scratch is by far the higest level of risk. Most fail, eventually. The best food-related franchise to buy is a Panera, but you need to be mega-rich (now) to do so....

Mick52

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.

I think Mom &amp; Pop can buy a franchise. I am not in business but is that not a good way to go?

15crown00

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.

Tim Horton did a lot of ice skating when he was in the NHL.Seems to me Tim Hortons is going to be skating on thin ice in Ann Arbor.To many restaurants and coffee houses.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.

What BW said, x10.

Buster W.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.

They'll do just fine...not everyone can afford 3-4-5+ bucks for a stinkin coffee. The Saline location has a line 10+ deep every morning. I don't see these two locations being much different. I do like the thin ice line though...

AstroJetson

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.

Would rather have a Dunkin' Donuts...

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.

Yuck.

vitaltoofor

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.

There goes Dimo's and possibly Barry's Bagels (both right down the street)...both need local money, stopping at Tim's and giving the Canadians our hard working money not a great idea. Think local first or get stuck with tim horton's, cvs, seven 11 and the rest of the same businesses as Canton or Brighton or etc.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.

They won't hurt Barry Bagels in any measureable way. Bank on that. Not even remotely similar demographics, nor similar fare.

Halter

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.

Waaaaaaa....Waaaaaaa

Some Guy in 734

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.

Isn't Barry Bagels a non-local (Toledo) chain?

Chip Reed

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.

I love donuts and there isn't a single one at Dimo's that interests me.

Dalex64

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.

No complaints about traffic, insufficient parking, or people eating donuts and drinking coffee outside?

marka2

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.

I'll definitely go to the one on Ellsworth and State. Did anyone notice they changed their coffee? Does anyone who works there know how or why?

Bertha Venation

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.

I'm SOOO glad they're moving to Maple Village, a couple of blocks from where I live. Since there aren't any Dunkin Donuts around here anywhere. This is a good thing. Bring on the Doughnuts! :)

stimpy

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.

yippee!

Think!

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.

Thank goodness another chain restaurant is opening in two locations in Ann Arbor. I can't wait until this town looks like every other town in America. Then I'll never have to leave home.

Think!

Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.

I mean no disrespect. Corporate mediocrity is the American mother's milk of the masses. Please, enjoy.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:05 p.m.

T: Take off, eh? Hoser.... :-)

Halter

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.

Waaaaaa...Waaaaaaa

Buster W.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.

Think! I don't see any locals stepping up to open anything in these distressed locations. It provides business for First Martin (local), employs roughly 40 people (I would imagine mostly local) and cleans up the areas....and you're knocking that??? Think!!!

jrigglem

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.

I agree with Halter. Out of nowhere Timmy H's was gone from Wendy's. I was upset by this because there isn't one in Ann Arbor. There is one in Saline and one in Ypsi, neither of which is convenient if you're craving some in A2.

Halter

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:37 p.m.

This is awesome. Tim Hortons has been sorely missed on Boardwalk since they closed that location inside the Wendy's....(although their service was the worst of any fast food restaurant I have ever seen, anywhere)....

Sasha9441

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.

I love Tim Hortons! I haven't been this happy since I got out of that idling ticket!

Bertha Venation

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.

HA!!! Good one, Sasha!

TheFlintstones

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.

But where is the neighborhood Dunkin Donuts?

Bertha Venation

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.

Dunkin Dog nutz is more popular on the east coast. When I lived in Boston, there was one on every corner and in the subway stations.

Mick52

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.

They used to be a lot more common didn't they? Don't see them much anymore. Ironically the one noted by Halter is very close to a Tim Hortons.

Halter

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.

On the corner of Hewitt and Elsworth

dexterreader

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.

One in Dexter at Baker Road would also be nice!!

Mick52

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.

You don't care for the Dexter Bakery?

Buster W.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:53 a.m.

This is great news, as both locations have become eyesores over the last several years.

alfonso

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:38 a.m.

I think their coffee is weak, like diner coffee. They are a blight on the Canadian highway system, often being the only choice for travelers.

jrigglem

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.

I love their coffee. It's the only coffee that doesn't give me heartburn and make me feel sick after drinking it *knock on wood*

Thomas

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.

I find their coffee a perfect blend between Dunkin Donuts (too weak) and Starbucks (too strong).

mr_annarbor

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:12 a.m.

I'm glad to hear that a Tim Horton's will replace the old Golden Chef. That's been an eyesore ever since it burned.

Chip Reed

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:07 a.m.

The Golden Chef was originally our Burger Chef in the early 70's.

f4phantomII

Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.

Wasn't it a Hardee's after Burger Chef?

Chip Reed

Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 10:45 a.m.

@arboriginal, no, I didn't eat meat, and I had a short hair wig to hide my hair.

KathrynHahn

Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 9:33 a.m.

I miss the old Burger Chef (and Jeff), their condiment bar....the original collectors star wars posters I got with my funmeal, and watching the Ann Arbor Bank &amp; Trust get robbed while eating lunch w/my mom safely from a booth inside the burger joint! aaah...memories!

Arboriginal

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.

Burger Chef had a condiment bar. As many pickles as I could fit on the sandwich. Did the Chipster eat beef back then?

Bertha Venation

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.

Ah, I remember it well. I had a buddy who fried burgers there for a couple of weeks. ('til he got canned.)

golfer

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:54 a.m.

both good spots. the one on maple i really like. looking forward to them and great coffee.

Canadienne

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.

@stan you are completely right - any Timmy's I've had in the US seems inferior in quality (whether beverages or baked goods). Still, I'm excited to see one in town.

stan

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:38 a.m.

It may just be me, but I think Tim Horton's quality in the US has taken a nose dive. I don't think they are using authentic Tim Horton's coffee that they have in Canada. It seems to me that they are using the same coffee that they used at Wendy's on Boardwalk after the Tim Horton's at the location was closed. Anyone else notice a difference?

Buzz

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:45 a.m.

And one in Saline.

John B.

Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:29 p.m.

Isn't there already one in the Saline area?