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DeLong's
Director Kameron Donald takes us through the story of DeLong's Bar-B-Q Pit, one of Ann Arbor's most famed bygone eateries. In a history told by Diana McKnight-Morton, one of DeLong's founders, we learn about the idea for the restaurant being born out of the many heads that popped over the backyard fence during family barbecues and hear about the many people, Ann Arborites and those much more far-flung, who numbered it among their favorites.
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AADL Talks To: Nawal Motawi, Owner of Motawi Tileworks
In this episode, AADL Talks to Nawal Motawi. Nawal tells us about her early years as an artist, how she began Motawi Tileworks, and how the business grew and changed over the years. Nowal also discusses her design processes, and what the future might hold.
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AADL Talks To: Lisa Tuveson and Ken Pargulski, Longtime Espresso Royale Employees & Owners of M36 Coffee Roasters and Cafe
In this episode, AADL Talks to Ken Pargulski & Lisa Tuveson. Ken & Lisa were both long-time employees of Espresso Royale. When the company closed in 2020 they carried on the legacy and lessons they had learned by opening M-36 roasters in Whitmore Lake and their own cafe on South U. They tell us about the coffee house culture of early Espresso Royale, the company’s expansion, and its community impact.
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AADL Talks To: Domenico Telemaco, Owner of NYPD
In this episode, AADL Talks To Domenico Telemaco. Domenico tells us about his experiences owning and operating NYPD in downtown Ann Arbor for the past 27 years. He discusses how the business began, changes and expansions over the years, and reflects on popular menu offerings that withstood the test of time.
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Toast of the Town
In Toast of the Town, directors Mike Hensel & Liz Barney give viewers a look into the closing days of Angelo's restaurant, an Ann Arbor institution. Stephen Vangelatos, customers, and employees discuss what made Angelo's important to them, while Steve remembers growing up in the restaurant and eventually becoming the owner. Angelo's closed in December, 2023, but remains beloved for many reasons, including its famous raisin toast.
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AADL Talks To: Laurie Blakeney, Founder, Ann Arbor School of Yoga
In this episode AADL Talks To Laurie Blakeney, founder of the Ann Arbor School of Yoga. Laurie came to Ann Arbor in 1971 to study at the University of Michigan. Intent on running her own business, she tuned pianos for 25 years. During that period she also studied and taught the Iyengar method of yoga. She had the good fortune to study with B.K.S. Iyengar and has taught the Iyengar method to thousands of students.
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AADL Talks To: Jody Kohn, former PR and Publicity for Borders
In this episode, AADL Talks To Jody Kohn, who worked for Borders in various roles, including merchandising, PR, Publicity, and Promotions, and director of communications for international stores. She witnessed many changes over the course of her career, and discusses the history of Borders as a brick and mortar from its origins in 1971 through the 1990s and later years.
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LGBTQ+ Washtenaw Oral History Project - Lynden Kelly
Lynden Kelly, who goes by Kelly (she/her), was born in 1954 in suburban Detroit. In 1972, she moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan. She became involved in countercultural organizations and collectives such as the Ann Arbor Tenants Union and the People’s Wherehouse, a wholesale warehouse for the Michigan Federation of Food Co-ops. She recalls visiting LGBTQ+ spaces in Ann Arbor and beyond, including the U-M Gay Advocates’ Office (now called the Spectrum Center), Canterbury House, the Rubaiyat, and the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. From 1990 to 2003, she and business partner Kate Burkhardt ran Common Language Bookstore, which catered to feminist and LGBTQ+ readers, on Fourth Avenue. Kelly also discusses gender roles, coming out to her parents, marriage equality, and co-founding Ann Arbor Queer Aquatics (A2QUA), a queer swimming group.
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AADL Talks To: Wei and Lisa Bee, Owners of Sweetwaters
In this episode AADL Talks To Wei and Lisa Bee, owners of Sweetwaters. Recently celebrating 30 years, the couple tell us about the origins of the business, what has changed over the years, and how they incorporate elements of their cultural heritage into their menu and marketing decisions. They also reflect on how the store has weathered recent changes like COVID-19 and street renovations.
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AADL Talks To: Ken Weber, President of Weber's Restaurant & Inn
In this episode, AADL talks to Ken Weber. Ken is the son of Weber's restaurant and hotel founder Herman Weber. Ken tells us about the busniness' humble beginnings, Weber's connection to Metzger's, and the continual innovations that have allowed it to remain as a family business for 87 years.