Zingersman’s interest in Ypsilanti drives stampede to secure retail space

Mothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. And if you’ve been to Zingerman’s on the weekend you know just how crowded it can get.

Depot Town and downtown Ypsilanti‘s reputation for cheap and plentiful commercial space could be gone almost as soon as it arrives. At least the plentiful part.

The city is riding high after Zingerman’s made their intentions to open an Ypsilanti location public known. City officials have said more business people are contacting the city about business space opportunities downtown and the vacancy rate for Depot Town continues to hover near nil.

A handful of inquiries about opening more restaurants, delis or coffee shops downtown have popped up in the wake of Zingerman’s interest. A yet-to-be-announced business is working to open its doors as soon as the end of summer.

“It’s kind of like the Starbuck’s effect – if they say it’s a safe bet, it must be,” says Brian Vosburg, director of the downtown and Depot Town development authorities.

He also points out that there isn’t any vacancy in active Depot Town retail space, despite a rash of vacancies last winter. All of those spaces filled up within three months. It’s keeping up the trend of a consistently full retail environment in the small historic district over the last two years.

Source: Brian Vosburg, director of the downtown and Depot Town development authorities
Writer: Jon Zemke