MAY 15, 2026 LIBRARIES GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Left: Wander + Gather storefront offers cards, stickers, calendars, mugs and more adorned with illustrations by owner Maia Hausler. Right: At Silky Grooves shoppers will find affordable vintage clothing, vinyl records and other retro knick knacks. Big steps for small business HANIYAH SIDDIQUI U-M student contributor Walk into the downtown Ann Arbor District Library on any given afternoon and you might notice something unexpected tucked into the lobby. The faint crackle of a vinyl record. A full bouquet of fresh flowers. A handwoven textile draped across a display table. These are not decorations. They are small businesses run by real people who, until recently, had no affordable path to a storefront of their own. The Ann Arbor District Library launched its Lobby Shops pilot program last summer, transforming three vacant suites into low-cost retail spaces after the Friends of the Library Bookshop relocated to Scio Township. Monthly rent is set at $250 for the largest suite and $100 for each of the smaller ones, rates that stand in sharp contrast to typical downtown prices, where commercial rents can reach several thousand dollars per month depending on location and size. The demand reflected this gap. Sixty-three applicants competed for just three available spaces. The businesses selected to inaugurate the program reflect a deliberate range of backgrounds and products. Silky Grooves, a vintage reseller that has operated since 2019 through festivals and pop-ups, now occupies the largest suite with its collection of records, retro clothing, toys, and collectibles. Co-owner Hannah Jacobsen described the opportunity as surreal, noting that a permanent downtown storefront had previously felt unattainable. Another suite was occupied by Gardens Within, which offers locally grown flowers, houseplants, and handmade pottery from regional artisans. The third space belonged to JFSMade, a collective supported by Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, featuring handcrafted goods created by refugee entrepreneurs who have historically relied on farmers markets and temporary venues. (See Editor's note below for times for the currrent participating shops.) For JFSMade, the storefront represents more than a place to sell products. As Market Coordinator Mibrak Tewolde explained, the space serves as a bridge between refugee experiences and the Ann Arbor community, highlighting both cultural expression and economic resilience. That perspective underscores the broader significance of the program. Groundcover News has consistently reported on the structural challenges that limit economic mobility, particularly for those operating on the margins. One of the most persistent barriers is access to affordable commercial space. While the Lobby Shops initiative does not resolve this issue entirely, it offers a tangible example of how public institutions can expand their role. A library, in this case — a library is not only a place for information but also a platform for opportunity. At the same time, the program is not without its constraints. AADL representative Rich Retyi acknowledged that physical space is the primary limitation, noting that additional capacity would allow for more participants. The six-month tenancy model also places pressure on vendors to establish a customer base quickly before their term expires, which can make it difficult to build lasting customer relationships. Furthermore, the setting itself presents challenges. A library lobby does not function as a traditional retail corridor, and casual visitors may not always translate into consistent sales. Public libraries have long served as access points for knowledge and resources, particularly for those who might otherwise be excluded. Extending that mission to include commercial opportunity represents a meaningful evolution. For vendors such as those involved in JFSMade, the value of a downtown presence extends beyond immediate revenue, offering visibility, credibility and a sense of belonging within the local economy. The Lobby Shops can only operate during regular library hours, and are open to all visitors without the need for a library card. This accessibility reinforces the program’s underlying principle of lowering barriers for both entrepreneurs and the community members they hope to reach. In a city where access to commercial space is often determined by financial resources, the presence of these small businesses within a public library stands out. It creates a space where opportunity is not exclusively tied to wealth, but instead shared more openly. Whether the program expands will depend on what the library learns in the coming months. For now, three small businesses continue the quiet, persistent work that is entrepreneurship. They show up daily, present their work, and trust that the community will meet them there. Silky Grooves Vintage & Vinyl will be open until the end of May; shop Thursdays 12-6 p.m., Fridays 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays 2-6 p.m. IG: @silkygrooves Wander + Gather is open Thursday and Friday 3-6 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. IG: @wandergathershop True Timbuktu will be open Saturdays and Sundays 1- 6 p.m. IG: @ trutimbuku Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Visit any of our five locations across town to browse books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, or even home tools—you name it! Enjoy fast and free WiFi, study and meeting rooms, and plenty of comfortable spaces to relax or hang out. Public Computers The AADL has public-access Internet computers available for use by both cardholders and noncardholders at all five locations. Each station has USB ports, headphone jacks, and some of the fastest WiFi speeds in town! Byte Club An exclusive club for AADL SUPER FANS and library people like you! Byte Club will help you connect deeper with the Library you know and love, and share special sneak peeks of new things coming soon. The first rule of Byte Club is that you tell everyone about Byte Club! Ready to join? Visit aadl.org/ byteclub to get started. FEATURED EVENT 5 Wednesday, June 3 • 11 AM–4 PM • Downtown Library VISIONS features a variety of exhibitors demonstrating the latest products & services for the blind, low vision, & physically disabled. Enjoy presentations on topics related to vision health, services, & assistive technology. Learn more at aadl.org/visions.
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