The Best in Town

Ann Arbor businesses faced unprecedented challenges this year as the pandemic caused the regular pattern of life to come to a brutal halt. But these businesses still hold a special place in people’s hearts, according to The Michigan Daily’s recent “Best of Ann Arbor” list.

“To all of us at The Daily and enrolled at Michigan, Ann Arbor is our home, and the local businesses are what provide architecture for what makes it so great,” says Zoe Phillips, the paper’s co-managing arts editor along with Elise Godfryd. “We value the individuality of locals that support our community and make it like no other city.”

Each year, The Daily compiles a list of nominees (along with write-in options) and solicits votes from the Ann Arbor and University communities over the course of two weeks. This year, the paper received thousands of responses.“

I think one of the best things about it is that it is something that the community has a real say in and you can see that through the results,” says The Daily’s business manager, Tara Moore. Once polling is complete, the paper’s writers pen profiles of each business voted the best in its category. This year, The Daily also hosted a panel discussion with some of the winners.

Says Moore, “It was great to hear from them about how they have adjusted their businesses since COVID and how much being part of the Ann Arbor community really means to them.”