Cherry Republic in Ann Arbor: Store plans to open as soon as this weekend
Construction is still under way at Cherry Republic in downtown Ann Arbor.
Angela Smith | For AnnArbor.com
The northeast corner of Main and Liberty streets in downtown Ann Arbor is still a construction zone: Saws blazing, hammers knocking and windows going up.
But Bob Sutherland, owner of Cherry Republic, sees the end in sight.
The store’s Facebook page says the store hopes to open as early as this weekend.
“Maybe I should qualify that,” Sutherland said earlier this week while taking a break from overseeing construction of what will become the cashier's counter. The store has not yet passed its final inspections, but hopes to open in time for the University of Michigan’s graduation ceremonies Saturday.
He was confident that the store would be finished by Friday, including stocking a full line of Cherry Republic products and samples.
Cherry Republic owner Bob Sutherland.
Angela Smith | For AnnArbor.com
Sutherland said he's happy to share his love of all things cherry with customers new to the store. He's enjoyed the time he’s spent in Ann Arbor so far, calling it a great town: “This is my eighth trip down. Michigan has two top 10 Main Streets in the country … and Ann Arbor is one.”
Cherry Republic plans a grand opening celebration later after the initial opening. The location, 223 S. Main St., previously housed Occasionally Gift Shop.
Previously, Sutherland said he planned to hire 12 employees for the Ann Arbor store. The Michigan-based company has three other locations, including in Traverse City.
Angela Smith is a freelance contributor to AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at angieannarbor@gmail.com.
Comments
Sally Johnson
Thu, May 5, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
My family has been looking forward to the new Cherry Republic store opening up in Ann Arbor. Cherry Republic has the best chocolate covered dried cherries, plus I love the cherry salsa and the trail mix. I hope the Cherry Republic team dreams up a new product that will be exclusive to Ann Arbor.
rubyredmorselsofjoy
Fri, May 6, 2011 : 10:13 a.m.
Great idea. Great idea. You are one sharp Boomchunka. A healthy happy yummy cherry product that people in the north will have to come to Ann Arbor to get. Or at least people from Northville will come to...
dlyordy
Thu, May 5, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
I have tried several of their products and am more than pleased with all of them. The BBQ sauce and Salsa are excellent. The cherries give each a sweet undertone that gives them a unique, but delish, flavor. This is a Michigan-based company, so given the economy, it is important to try and support CR (Cherry Republic - us "citizens" call it CR) as best as you are able. I'm actually a bit "jealous" that I live too far away to shop the stores in person; but grateful they offer most of their products online. Remember, cherries are very nutritious, and have some antioxidant value. Plus, cherries are one of Michigan's major exports. It's important to fully support Michigan farmers. After all, without Michigan's farmers, you wouldn't have food to eat!! (Potatoes, beans, corn, wheat, blueberries, cherries, peaches, apples, sugar beets - do I need to go on???)
Ms. H
Fri, May 6, 2011 : 12:13 a.m.
Yes yes yes! : )
Ms. H
Thu, May 5, 2011 : 12:41 a.m.
It's pretty disappointing to hear the negative comments on here. Everyone in Michigan is upset about the economy and lack of jobs. We should be cheering on Michigan businesses that are growing and be positive for them. This will be a dozen new jobs and a products people will enjoy. Welcome Cherry Republic!
rubyredmorselsofjoy
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
It is May 4th and the Cherry Republic's storefront still isn't open. Dang gone it! I want some cherries. I hear they are hoping to open by this weekend. If they don't, could they at least push some sample chocolate covered cherries under the door for us while we wait.
North
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.
Wonderful! Here's to Michigan businesses continuing to grow. A very encouraging sign of improving times and a wonderful addition to Ann Arbor!
Angela Smith
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
I thought some readers might be intterested in this update from Cherry Republic this afternoon: "Sorry, everyone, we were trying our hardest to get the store open this weekend, but we still have one unforeseen hurdle to overcome. We are going to have to delay it a bit. We will keep you posted on our progress. Thanks for being patient!"
81wolverine
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Correct me if I'm wrong someone, but didn't the owners of the Great Harvest Bread Store open up a shop on Liberty (near the campus) some years back that had a lot of the Cherry Republic products? This store didn't last that long unfortunately. I know they also sold gelato as well, and added sandwiches later. But, I don't believe the new store being more in the downtown area is going to enough of a difference to help them. I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see a store survive down here that isn't a restaurant.
David Paris
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
I know what you're thinking, but the product wasn't Cherry Republic, it was American Spoon, also from the T.C. area.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
I don't understand the logic of brick and mortar shop for Cherry products? What was wrong with keeping it a successful mail-order business? The summer months are going to bankrupt them.
rubyredmorselsofjoy
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
This will be Cherry Republic's fourth store. Retail sales and sampling drive their mail order. Everyone has their Achilles heel-- lets hope the Ann Arbor summer isn't Cherry Republic's!
Angela Smith
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
AnnArbor.com previously published a story that included what to expect from this store: "products such as Chocolate Covered Cherries, Cherry Salsa, Cherry BBQ sauce, Cherry Jam, Cherry Jelly, Cherry Wine, Cherry Baked Goods, Cherry Cookies, Cherry Brownies, Cherry Soda Pop — more than 170 different cherry products." See link below: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/cherry-republic-expands-from-up-north-to-ann-arbor/">http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/cherry-republic-expands-from-up-north-to-ann-arbor/</a>
lynel
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
you could click on "cherry republic" in the article.
racerx
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
@Angela, thanks for clearing that up. I guess A2.com just expects that you read their thread everyday. The articles isn't/wasn't very clear on what they will be selling. Thanks again.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.
If we knew what this place is going to sell, maybe it would be helpful. I can't get excited about Cherry Republic until I know what's there.
rsa221
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:44 a.m.
CR is so fun to visit up north, this new location should add positively to our Main Street vibe. :)
racerx
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 7:54 a.m.
um....what does the store sell, or will be selling?
rubyredmorselsofjoy
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
The company sells about 170 different cherry products at their various locations. The most extensive line is in Glen Arbor. I don't know what will be sold in Ann Arbor, but there should be over 80 for sale and sample.
say it plain
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
Are they going to be selling *organic* cherry products?! hard to find and, given the health-conscious advice to avoid non-organic produce in certain categories especially (and cherries/berries count as one such), important to find! Domestic cherries are among the worst foods you can eat in terms of pesticide residues (and much worse than imported cherries in this regard!), according to tests the EWG conducted... here's a link with some info on that: <a href="http://www.towardsfreedom.com/PesticidesandOurCrops.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.towardsfreedom.com/PesticidesandOurCrops.html</a> I sure hope Cherry Republic sells some organics!
rubyredmorselsofjoy
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.
say it plain, Cherry Republic does have a growing line of organic cherry products. Dried Cherries, cherry salsa, cherry jam, cherry apple butter and in a month we will be introducing the versatile Just Cherries (whole organic cherries in juice). We sell them at a much lower profit margin than our other products to encourage their purchase as it is good for the consumer, good for the farmers and good for the land. You will even find that they taste ever so slightly better. I think it is because organic farmers leave the cherry on the tree a little longer to ripen before harvesting.
say it plain
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.
Huh @DogGuy? Are you saying that asking for organic produce encourages the misrepresentation of non-organics to make money? What else should we do, wait around until the insecticides other nations find unacceptable for use finally become unacceptable to ours? Are you being facetious or do you have a point I'm missing?
Dog Guy
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
It is thanks to savvy and demanding consumers like you, say it plain, that there is now probably three times as much organic produce sold as there is grown.
say it plain
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
Here's an interlochen public radio piece from a couple of years ago about trying to find a replacement for one of the most toxic kinds of pesticides being used on MI cherries (but which the EPA is requiring growers *stop* using by 2012, at least as of this 2009 story)...not easy, but it seems truly needed. <a href="http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/4348" rel='nofollow'>http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/4348</a>
say it plain
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
Just trying to warn people about how their food might contain carcinogens and endocrine-system disruptors. And I just read about how farm workers want some of these very toxic pesticides eliminated so that their children aren't born with birth defects and so on. But yes, you have the right to not care about poisons in your environment lol.
DDOT1962
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.
Omg. Who cares? Move to the country and grow your own organic produce if it's that important to you!
Tom Joad
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
I'll give em six months...brick and mortar pricey knick-knack shop
lynel
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:59 p.m.
I'm betting you've never tried their product.
Will
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
Welcome, Cherry Republic! Ann Arbor has been waiting for you!