ABOUT THIS SITE
Our Mission
Ann Arbor Local exists to celebrate the people and businesses that make this city genuinely special. From downtown shops and Kerrytown storefronts to service businesses tucked into neighborhoods across town — there are remarkable entrepreneurs here who deserve to be recognized.
Every spotlight on this site is completely free. There are no ads, no sponsored content, no pay-to-play listings. A business is featured because they're doing something worth celebrating — full stop.
How a Spotlight Works
- 01
Discovery
We find outstanding local businesses through community recommendations and good old-fashioned poking around town.
- 02
Outreach
We reach out to the owner with an invitation to be featured — no strings attached, no cost.
- 03
The Interview
A short 20–30 minute chat to hear the story behind the business.
- 04
Publication
We write and publish a dedicated spotlight page — a real feature, not a directory stub.
- 05
Sharing
The owner gets their link to share with customers, neighbors, and their mom.
Who Runs This Site
Ann Arbor Local is run by a local web designer who has been part of this community for years. The goal is simple: create a trusted resource that genuinely serves both the businesses being featured and the neighbors who discover them.
As a web designer, I also happen to be available for hire if a business ever wants help improving their website or online presence. But that's never the agenda here — the spotlights are real, and the relationships come first.