Huckleberry Party Store to reopen under new ownership after bankruptcy auction
The Huckleberry Party Store is set to reopen under new management.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The popular beer, wine and liquor shop at 2872 Washtenaw Ave. filed for bankruptcy June 9 and has remained closed since.
Gus Georges, owner of the Stadium Party Shoppe at 1940 W. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor, won an auction for the store’s inventory and liquor license on July 25.
Doug Ellmann, an attorney and bankruptcy trustee for the store, said previous owners failed to present a workout plan to the bankruptcy judge and the case had been converted to Chapter 7 liquidation.
Collier’s International marketed the auction and broker Brendan Cavender said five people bid, with Georges eventually winning at a price of $239,000. Approximately $135,000 covered the store’s inventory.
Cavender said Georges will open the store under a management agreement with the bankruptcy court until the liquor license is transferred in the next 90 days.
Georges said he pursued the store because of its proximity to the Stadium Party Shoppe, Eastern Michigan University, Saint Joseph's Hospital and the surrounding dense retail.
“It’s a good business opportunity, it’s surrounded by good people, it's a good location, a good store and it really has a lot of potential,” he said.
The store comes with a built-in good reputation, but Georges said he is looking to further improve the store.
“I’m thinking about spiffying it up, making it look more attractive, giving it a nicer, friendly atmosphere, staying open for longer hours, and carrying a lot more variety of liquor, beer and wine,” he said. “I love serving the public, the people and the community.”
He said customers can also expect Huckleberry to become more of a “onestop shop” as he expands its grocery selection. Georges said he will also sell produce and stock household items. Plans also call for a tobacco shop and a wider selection of beer, wines and liquors.
The Stadium Party Shoppe has been in business for 35 years, 21 of which have been at its current location. He expects the new Ypsilanti Township operation to be up and running “very soon” with just minor renovations and a thorough clean up of the property needed.
The store will be open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the week and stay open until midnight on weekends. Sunday hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Comments
Lets Get Real
Thu, Aug 4, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Much happier to be hearing about businesses opening than closing. Good Luck!
?
Wed, Aug 3, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
A few of us have been worried about Chip and couldn't find out any info until this article. We're all gonna miss Chip, surely one of the friendliest and best merchants around.
Tag
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
I've since moved on from the Ann Arbor area, but still care enough to read about it through AA.com. Without "speculating" :-) What happened to Chip, who I knew as the owner?
Jasper
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
Seriously robbed twice. difficult recoveries. They tried Ch11 but apparently could not pull the reorganization together. Great guy. Great selection. I have never had any problems there either.
Karen
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
tdw: I'm not an idiot I know where/what Huckleberry Party store is. I'd say at least once a year I get approached and when they approach I say, I'm not giving you a ride or money and do not smoke.
Donald Wilson
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
They are planning on adding a LARGER variety of beer, whine and liquor? That's a very tall order, compared to what it's had so far. Its had the 2nd largest selection of microbrews in Ypsi (2nd only to The Keg), the largest wine rack, and the largest variety of whisky and whiskey.
AA
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Chip call Mike.
63Townie
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
I hope the first thing they do is replace that awful, stinky, threadbare carpet. Yuck.
John A2
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 3:15 p.m.
I have been going there for years and not once was I approached for anything, nor have I witnessed parking-lot hounds either. The store is next to Camelot App, who's reputation is gutter level living, I know because I made a bad decision to move there. But the owners of the three shops there have done a good job trying to keep the local lot-hounds healed. The new owner Guss will have to do the same, but I know Guss and he is a good man and he will have no trouble keeping the lot-hounds at bay...
Karen
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
Great news, now if they can clean up the riffraff hanging around there asking for money, a ride or a cigarette!
tdw
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
You apparently have not a clue of what store you are talking about.I live less than a 1/2 mile from there and have NEVER seen anyone hanging out ,asking for money ,cigs or a ride.The owner Chip would have never allowed that.
treetowncartel
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
Nice to see the place making such a quick comeback. Quite the lofty goals though, considering there is only so much space there.
richard watkins
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.
Very glad to hear this. I need a handy place to stop in for a quick one before performing surgery at St. Joe's. It steadies me, you see.
Fredric
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
Love it!!!!
Enso
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 11:23 a.m.
GOOD!