Vinsetta Garage Owners Could Bring a Restaurant and Brewery to Ann Arbor

The empire building owners of Vinsetta Garage are eyeing an expansion to Ann Arbor. An entity called Arbor Bar, LLC, registered to Union Joints restaurant group co-owner Curt Catallo, filed plans with the city in February proposing to redevelop the 45,000-square-foot Fingerle Lumber storage sheds as a two-story restaurant and brewery, MLive reports.

An application submitted to the city planning commission outlines plans for a two-story facility with bars, a rooftop area, private dining space, and retail. If approved by the city, Arbor Bar would join a growing list of Union Joints restaurants in Southeast Michigan including Union Woodshop, Fenton Fire Hall, and Honcho and newer additions like Bunkhouse Burgers and Gran Castor.

Fingerle Lumber is expected to close this spring after nearly 90 years of business. The family sold the majority of its property to the University of Michigan at a cost of $24 million. While a lumber warehouse might seem like an unusual space for a restaurant, Union Joints co-owner and designer Ann Stevenson is known for taking on unique building projects from old Hooters restaurants to former radio station transmitter buildings.

The restaurant is expected to go before the Design Review Board on March 13. Stay tuned for more updates.

• New Brewery, Restaurant With Rooftop Patio Proposed for Fingerle Lumber Sheds in Ann Arbor [Mlive]
• Family-Owned Fingerle Lumber to Close After 87-Plus Years in Ann Arbor [MLive]
• All Ann Arbor Coverage [ED]