The Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) is blending books with boutiques, debuting its brand-new Lobby Shops—small storefronts that give local entrepreneurs a chance at downtown glory. The first three pioneers to take root? Silky Grooves, Gardens Within, and JFSMade—and they’re as delightfully unique as Ann Arbor itself.
“The initial agreement with each lobby shop business is for six months with the option for a mutually-agreed-upon six-month renewal. Once a business has completed its six- or 12-month term, we’ll reopen applications for the open spaces,” Rich Retyi, from AADL, said.
Chosen from 63 hopefuls, these first Lobby Shop businesses get to test out their big ideas in three cozy, low-cost retail spots—right in the buzzing heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Silky Grooves opened first at AADL on August 1.
Silky Grooves
Silky Grooves feels like the combination of a flea market and a music festival. Co-owner Hannah Jacobsen still can’t believe they snagged this spot:
“We’ve been daydreaming about this for years—real downtown retail was always out of reach for us. This still feels unreal,” she said.
Silky Grooves brings a carnival of nostalgia—vinyl records, vintage tees, funky figurines, old-school kitchenware and more. If it sparks joy, odds are they’ve got it.
Jacobsen said, “Music, T-shirts, dresses, toys, books, movies—I might be biased, but this is the most fun collection around!”
JFSMade
Next up, JFSMade is more than a shop—it’s a mission. This collective supports refugee entrepreneurs who craft everything from art to home goods to wearable pieces of culture. You may have seen them at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market or Tiny Expo, but now they’ve got a home base at the library.
Market Coordinator Mibrak Tewolde couldn’t be more thrilled.
“This space is a bridge between refugee stories and the Ann Arbor community,” Tewolde said. “It’s about talent, resilience and creating a welcoming place where culture and craftsmanship meet.”
Gardens Within
If you could bottle the feeling of walking through a garden on a summer morning, it might look like Gardens Within. This shop started in Ann Arbor backyards and now offers indoor plants, fresh-cut flowers, pottery and handmade items from local artisans.
Co-founder Mary Buck said, “We dreamed of a space where you can lose yourself in a line of poetry, then drift over to inhale a bouquet of peonies. This space brings that vision to life.”
The vibe? A mix of Keats, dahlias and Detroit artistry.
A library that thinks outside the book
The lobby shops occupy the former home of the Friends of the Library Bookshop, which moved to a bigger, brighter space in 2024. The leftover nook was too small for events, but just right for a bold experiment: giving local entrepreneurs a low-cost downtown launchpad.
Each business runs independently but keeps hours within the library’s 10am–8pm schedule. Their initial leases run for six months—with the chance to stick around if the collaboration blooms.
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Check it out—literally!
“Space at the Downtown Library is one of the key limitations here. If we had space for more lobby shops, we might offer more lobby shops,” Retyi said. “As it is now, we have three suites as our initial test, and we’ll learn a lot in the next year with this pilot program.”
Next time you swing by the Downtown Library, don’t just grab a book—browse for records, flowers and one-of-a-kind finds while supporting local dreams.
