Trade Group Suggests Michigan May Reopen Dining Rooms on February 1

Michigan indoor dining ban may lift on February 1

Michigan dining rooms, which have been closed since November 18, could reopen by February 1, according to a statement issued by the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association. If accurate, that would mean two more weeks of closures for restaurants and bars. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to hold a press conference at noon on Wednesday, January 13, where she will likely address any COVID-19 related updates for restaurants. Many states have since followed Michigan in shutting down dining rooms to help contain a winter surge of the virus that claimed roughly 4,402 lives nationwide on Tuesday, January 12.

Washtenaw County decriminalizes magic mushrooms

Following the lead of Ann Arbor last year, Washtenaw County’s newly appointed prosecutor Eli Savit introduced new policies on Tuesday decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms, marijuana, and other entheogenic plants, according to Metro Times.

Rent hiked at former Russell Street Deli building

Surprising no one whose followed the saga of Russell Street Deli and Firm Real Estate in Eastern Market, Crain’s reports that the restaurant storefront is now up for lease and asking roughly double the price that Russell Street paid per square foot. “At the new rate, rent would be approximately $4,250 per month, not including utilities,” Kirk Pinho writes in his column. Firm Real Estate described the rent hike as “consistent with current 2021 market rates.” Given the state of the food industry right now, one wonders who might be bold enough to rent the space at that price.

• All AM Intel Coverage [ED]
• Ann Arbor Just Decriminalized Magic Mushrooms [ED]
• Michigan Extends Indoor Dining Closure Through January 15 [ED]