Tuesday, August 6, 2024 (Ann Arbor, MI) — The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has partnered with State Street District to beautify and utilize the facade of an empty storefront in downtown Ann Arbor. The pilot piece of State Street District’s “Storefront Connections” initiative, the beautification project breathes new life into the site of the former Orchid Lane Boutique and gives the nearly 100-year-old Symphony a presence in the downtown area.
“The A2SO is Ann Arbor’s symphony orchestra, and we’re proud to present the majority of our concerts in historic downtown venues like Hill Auditorium and the Michigan Theater,” says A2SO Executive Director Sarah Calderini. “The brainchild of our wonderful partners at State Street District, this storefront adoption project means that we can place our message in front of the bustling downtown populace while also activating our mission to serve and celebrate Ann Arbor’s arts and culture landscape.”
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s offices are currently located at 35 Research Drive off of North Main Street, just south of the entrance onto M-14. The A2SO used to inhabit offices at 220 East Huron Street, before scale and budget considerations prompted a move in 2016.
For Angela Heflin, executive director of State Street District, the adopt-a-storefront initiative provides visibility opportunities for partners while also establishing a network of custodians to ensure the upkeep of currently underutilized spaces: “We’re thrilled to partner with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra to bring new energy to an underutilized space. This innovative and affordable solution provides an interactive element to the community, offering fun and engaging pathways that connect everyone to the Symphony’s vibrant programming. We believe in the power of creativity to transform and inspire, and this collaboration is a testament to that vision, offering an engaging and inclusive experience for all.”
The storefront at 419 East Liberty Street was formerly inhabited by Orchid Lane Boutique, an ethnic clothing and jewelry store. The business closed in 2017, and ongoing improvements to the site’s plumbing system mean that the interior space is not yet available for lease. To update the storefront, the A2SO cleaned and painted the exterior and immediate interior, applied window clings in the facade glass, and installed pamphlet holders to distribute information about the Symphony’s activities. Passers-by can scan QR codes to visit the A2SO’s website, plus learn more about the “Storefront Connections” project. Those interested can visit www.statestreetdistrict.org for more info and to share design concepts for future projects.