Folding pages

    The sudden collapse of the daily newspaper will likely turn out to be the hallmark of the 2008 recession — felt here in mid-March, when the Detroit News and Free Press abandoned daily delivery and the Ann Arbor News announced it would end its 174 years of daily publication in July.  “Our short-term goal was not to become the local publication of record,” explains Dave Askins, cofounder of the web-based Ann Arbor Chronicle (www.annarborchronicle.com). “With the [Ann Arbor] News shutting down, many of our readers have expressed to us their hope or expectation that we step up and shoulder that mantel. We do not aim to disappoint.”
    According to the web-metrics firm Alexa, the Chronicle’s readership has nearly doubled since January, placing it among the top ten percent of Internet sites tracked by the service worldwide.  What’s more, “revenue projections based on the first six months suggest we’ll likely be able to grow our resources and add to the breadth of our coverage over the next few months.”  And these are conservative projections, as they — like the numbers from Alexa — reflect trends preceding the News announcing its imminent demise (a story that local online publications like the Chronicle, as well as both the big Detroit papers and Michigan Public Radio, scooped the News on). 

Brain gain

    Likewise, as century-old manufacturers gasp on the Capitol steps, tiny newcomers are finding their niches.  Beagle Brain (2 Nickels Arcade, 734-751-5122) is tucked behind a wall of attractive, idiosyncratic laptop sleeves in Nickels Arcade.  Handling all facets of computer repair — hardware and software, Mac and PC, desktops and laptops — Beagle Brain specializes in component-level work.  This contrasts to most services, which replace an entire motherboard because of a broken power jack or USB port (a practice with a high cost to both the customer and the environment).  Beagle Brain doesn’t charge a diagnostic fee (often $50 or $60 elsewhere), and their turn-around time is generally same or next day for diagnosis, with repairs done the following day (if parts are on hand). 
    That display-window of colorful laptop cases is emblematic of the care owner Ben Falk brings to his operation: He often sifts through 1700 listings looking for “all these little gems that you just don’t see anywhere,” and then checking each on review sites to confirm quality and durability.  Despite being a fledgling business in an expensive location, Falk has already complemented his existing staff with two new technicians since January.

Attic’s new neighborhood

    Longtime local stalwarts have adapted their businesses to take advantage of opportunities opened by the shifting economy.  After thirteen years as an employee, Bill Brennan took possession of Fantasy Attic (19 E. Cross St., 734-482-5409) on January 1 and moved it from its tatty Packard Street location to Ypsilanti’s thriving Depot Town business district.  At their new Civil War-era storefront on Cross Street, curiosity-driven walk-in traffic can compliment Fantasy Attic’s bread and butter: costuming productions for high school, university, and civic theater companies throughout Southeast Michigan, and as far north as Marquette.  Although January was “scary,” owing to both the move and economy, by March, Brennan was already hiring back workers he’d assumed he would have to do without, and expanding the shop’s vintage clothes and costumes.
    The new locale “just suits what we do a lot better, and I think the neighborhood does as well. . . . We’re good for the neighborhood, and the neighborhood is good for us,” largely because Ypsilanti’s full slate of summer activities (Elvis Fest, Heritage Festival, etc.) offset the summer-slump in costume sales and rental. 

Real relationships

    Arbor Teas (www.arborteas.com) has similarly flourished even as the big fish have foundered.  Begun as a basement-based sideline by Jeremy and Aubrey Lopatin in 2004, this organic tea retailer has steadily grown into a full-time business.  They hired their first outside employee in September 2008, as old industry and financial bedrock was crumbling.  Although their growth has slowed with the economic downturn, Arbor Teas is still on pace to increase their sales by a third this year.
    Jeremy Lopatin attributes Arbor Teas’ success both to being online and to their personal connection to their customers:  “It’s almost like we have pen pals all over the country who are passionate about our company and our products.  In this economy, it’s the relationships. People are going to hang on if they’re passionate about where they’re buying it from just as much as what they’re buying.”