Zingerman's Deli taking a second shot at expanding in Ann Arbor

"We're basically going back to the drawing board - we're trying again and basically going through the process again," said Pete Sickman-Garner, marketing manager for Zingerman's Service Network. "We're trying to figure out a way that we can grow the footprint a little bit."

Sickman-Garner said the goal of the meeting is to get feedback from neighbors and other community stakeholders on a building addition attached to the deli on the property at 322 E. Kingsley St. He said drawings of the proposed expansion should be available for people to view, though all designs are preliminary and subject to change.

Zingerman's intends to submit a site plan to the city on March 29. The deli's owners say they want to expand their campus at 422 Detroit St. to alleviate crowded working conditions and lack of storage space, address accessibility issues and create a more enjoyable guest experience.

This file photo shows one of the houses (at right) that Zingerman's hoped to demolish at 420 Detroit St. in 2008.

File photo

After being reviewed by the city's planning staff, the petition will go to the Planning Commission and, if approved, to the Ann Arbor City Council. After that, the proposal would go back before the Historic District Commission.

In June 2008, Zingerman's received approval to demolish a garage in the historic district near the company's Detroit Street deli. But it failed to get approval from the Historic District Commission to raze two other structures to allow for an addition. The commission was divided on one of the two houses, a story-and-a-half structure at 322 E. Kingsley Lane in Kerrytown.

Three commissioners favored allowing demolition of the property, boarded up since a fire in 2006. But a four-member majority said that - despite the fire damage and various alterations - the home continued to contribute to the story of the city's Old Fourth Ward and could be repaired.

City Council Member Sandi Smith, D-1st Ward, said she doesn't know the details of the new plans for Zingerman's, but is hopeful a solution can be worked out to allow the company to grow.

"Zingerman's community businesses employ 500 people in Ann Arbor, and they're not planning to go anywhere else, so that's pretty impressive. And they're expanding right now, which is even more impressive. So I'd be excited to see what they do," she said.

"They are a block and a half from my point of work and four and a half blocks from my house. I am a frequent visitor, and they are really a community spot. People flock there and I think it's an important asset."

Zingerman's co-founders Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig first opened the doors to the deli in March 1982. According to the Zingerman's Web site, the deli got its start with a small selection of specialty foods, traditional Jewish dishes and a relatively short sandwich menu.

Today, Zingerman's is an Ann Arbor institution, serving up thousands of made-to-order sandwiches every year.

The building that houses Zingerman's traces back to 1902 and, according to Sickman-Garner, always has been a food business.

"The building was not designed to be used the way it has been," he said. "It worked fine when they first opened the deli, but given the amount of traffic we move through there and the wear and tear that goes with making as many sandwiches as we do ... we need a bigger space."

The March 8 meeting will last from 5-6:30 p.m. at the deli. Call Chris Krause at 734-663-0974 or e-mail ckrause@zingermans.com with any questions.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.