Annam in Dearborn Shuts Down After Nine Years
If you haven’t had a chance to read Dearborn resident Dan Howes’ column in The Detroit News about the closing of Annam, one of Metro Detroit’s top-notch Vietnamese restaurants, it’s worth a read. Dan, a former colleague of mine during my years as a reporter at The News, writes that the closing of Annam is “one more casualty in a city accumulating empty storefronts like boys collect baseball cards.”
A note posted on the door of Annam tells it all. Dearborn resident and owner Phuong Nguyen tells Deepsaidwhat that if the economy improves she might one day reopen in another location. Making rent became much too difficult with her decline in business, she told us.
Dan hits on many of the topics we have heard from other businesses in town about fewer Ford workers at lunch, owners haggling with their landlords and paid parking.
” . . . the city’s on-again, off-again, can’t-make-a-decision dithering on paid parking and this summer’s construction on pock-marked Michigan Avenue and it’s a wonder all operating in the business district from Brady to Military aren’t out of business,” he writes.
Annam owner Phuong Nguyen tells Dan that “Dearborn is dead. It’s sad. Dead is when you drive and not every corner is fully leased. This is not normal for a downtown.”
No, it isn’t “normal for a downtown” but these aren’t normal times either and every city in America is struggling. It’s just in a short section of road in a city like ours that it’s a whole lot easier to count the vacant buildings. Nguyen’s words about Dearborn are more frustration than fact.
My neighbor sent me an e-mail with Dan’s article attached early this morning with just two words: “Oh, no!”, she wrote. Indeed. But Dearborn will survive this latest casualty. From where we sit, it is far too early to be writing the obituary for West Dearborn.
For Dan’s full article, please click HERE.
July 18th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Sure Dearborn will survive but we have lost another unique restaurant. That’s not a good thing. Who was their landlord?
July 18th, 2009 at 9:21 am
In a way, they were a victim of their own success. With Kabuki and O’Sushi offering a low-cost Asian alternative just down the street on Michigan, Annam either needed to offer more attractive prices or go the way they did. In this economy, only the creative businesses with good value will survive. Sorry to see them go but you can’t get people to buy lobster when all they can afford now is tuna. Sorry, Charlie.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Very sad to see them close. It was onw of our favorite places in town.
I am not complaining about prices JC, but I wouldn’t really say O’Sushi is cheaper. With a coule of drinks, apps and the meal/tip as a party of 2, we easily spent about $100.00 each time (Well worth it by the way!)
Kabuki can’t hold a candle to either one of these places………
July 18th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I would argue in favor of Nguyen’s comments on the mass surplus of empty bldgs being an absolute fact.
I am willing to bet on 2 more restaurants being “axed” before yrs. end
Both are on michigan ave.
I really am frustrated with the closing of Annam because this isn’t a case of shit food/service. Another very unique place gone.
Maybe with the state of Michigans movie tax credits they can now use west dearborn as a movie set. The place looks like a backdrop in hollywood anyway.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:06 am
JC is absolutely on target, but those fortunate enough to be still breathing the rarefied air of expense account lunches and $10 bowls of soup don’t get it. Annam was a fine restaurant but it is presumptuous of its lovely owner to declare that its closing is the death knell for Dearborn. Shame on Howes for buying into it. The closing of Little Professor and Little Cafe probably had a greater impact.
July 18th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
not to come off as “council representing nguyen” but I think her comments weren’t meant as her restaurant closing being the 100% death of west dearborn. Her comments are hard to ignore with regard to the state of business in michigan and dearborn.
I really would love to get more background on the landlord aspect………
Little professor closing was 6+ yrs ago right??? (borders/barnes/noble competion)
Little cafe was overated. Most of you speak of the “gathering spot” aspect of this former establishment, (which is valid) If anything, the food/prices were average at best.
The thing I find most interesting these days about the closing of business’s is that the owners always point to economy, parking, government, taxes, etc.
I never hear about complete lack of a business plan/model, overconfidence, shit products, shit service, shit prices, overextension of finances, zero business background etc.
Im not suggesting annams closing was due to this becuase like little professor they were in business for a numbe rof yrs.
As far as little cafe, operating an establishment in the middle of starbucks, panera, the former au bon pon and carribu coffee, It showed swimming in a bathtub full of sharks is probably less risky.
July 18th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Actually the death of journalistic integrity preceded the death of Dearborn. Reckless headlines such as the one declaring Dearborn’s death further proves that the Detroit newspapers (or what remains of them) are more suitable for lining bird cages than subscribing to them. I guess all of the columnists are trying to emulate Mitch Albom, who never lets the facts stand in the way of a titillating column.
July 18th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
48124 I couldn’t agree with you more. Everyone has excuses Annam is no different. A better business plan, and better treatment of the customers, may have meant success. Closing that business, isn’t a deathblow to Dearborn, it just gives someone else a chance. Their arrogance didn’t help either.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:52 am
William – closing Annam will give someone else a chance. Look around Dearborn there are a lot of ‘chances’ to be had, only problem seems to be that no one is willing to take the chance. I think that closing any store is a deathblow for the city. I always found Little Cafe a great place to eat, I thought that the food and prices were very good and you did get a lot for your money. We all have our favorite places which is a good thing.
July 19th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Simply put, Dearborn has too many restaurants and bars to be supported by a shrinking demographic—i.e. working folks with disposable income to spend on “eating out.”
Having said that, those of us who want to support the remaining restaurants and bars might want to vote for two Dearborn City Council candidates on August 4th–Patrick Kiernan, owner of Kiernan’s Steakhouse, and Joe Agius, who I believe owns the Post Bar.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Every times we ate at annam, the food and service were excellent!
I never experienced rudeness, or poor service so that theory is bunk.
The prices for the type of food were on par with any other of the ciao’s kiernan’s andiamo, o’sushi etc.
Parking isn’t a real valid excuss. If your going to spend $100 on dinner, then 3 to 5 bucks for parking is meaningless.
I have no reason not to believe the ford crowd and/or the 2 new sushi places played a big part in their business droping off
July 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I never frequented the restaurant but I am sorry to see another business leave. I don’t know the circumstances behind the departure but I am certain we have not seen the last of this phenomenon, if you will, in Dearborn. I am fan of Kabuki and would to see it stay. As for O Sushi, I have not been impressed and it isn’t my first choice to eat in Dearborn. I hope the business leaders running for office have plan. I would love to hear what they have to say on what they think needs to happen in Dearborn.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:20 am
Stop blaming everyone else, accept the fact you weren’t successful, and leave town gracefully. I’m tired of everyone having someone else be the fall guy. It wasn’t the City, it might have been other variables, but whatever, you didn’t make it — face facts, you gambled and lost. Deep post this, I realize these were friends of yours, but be objective.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:26 am
Bill, if any of the candidates has/had a business plan they certainly are keeping it to themselves. Most agree that new business is needed in West Dearborn but I don’t think any of them can really do much about it – I would also like to see their plans for fixing paid parking, just saying they want to do something doesn’t really turn me on. I guess the only thing we can hope for is that when the field is narrowed down they come forward with the ‘plan’. I for one am not counting on it.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Do any of the candidates for City Council have any ideas? Concrete, workable ideas?
This seems like a good spot for them to tell us what they are. So far, they all seem to be running the same “Kiss the Babies and Bribe the Oldsters” campaign.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:18 am
little cafe closed?
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:23 am
Donna Hay,
Yes, you are certainly right. I haven’t heard nor read of anything that the business owning council candidates have to say on what Dearborn needs to thrive. Remember, the primary is more important than the “run off” election in November. If you have a candidate you really want, you better get out and campaign for him or her.
Karen,
Yes, you are right. I am seeing the same, old tired campaigns being run by folks without much vigor in setting what they want to accomplish. I am disappointed in the campaigns so far. While I do not intend in voting for any incumbents for a variety of reasons I have this fear that it will be the same old “magnificent” seven we have been stuck with.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Speaking of the council election, lets get some fresh blood in there. Many members should be retired long ago. What’s with George Hart running? He had his time in the sun, let him go retire to Florida. He was asked why he was running and he replied ” I am bored”. We don’t need another name in Dearborn, we need ideas and actions.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
There is no easy solution to bringing in new business to Dearborn. Lets face it times are real, real tough. Maybe tax incentives to open new business. Working with property owners and potential new businesses to come up with a compromise on rent? Better collecting something rather than nothing at all!
And Donna is right. What can be done during these hard times to get someone to take the chance of opening a new business. I am more than willing to hear any sugestions.
Paid parking. Should it go? Should it stay? I know it has effected my business. I do know that , for now, there could be a happy medium to keep most people happy. Adjust the hours of opperation and remove the time limits on the meters.
The vacant property between the two parking stuctures. How about lease the land to a hotel for $1.00 a year for X amount of years if they build and go into operation in a specified amount of time. A hotel would create more foot trafic and maybe help keep some of the strugling business open and maybe bring in some new. Not to mention more tax dollars.
The truth of the matter is, times are hard. We know that just as much or more than most.
It is sad to see any business shut down. Can’t imagine the feeling and don’t want to. And i don’t wish it on anyone.
All I would like to do is see if I can make a difference. The council would be a new experience for me, as it was for those that sit there now when they where first elected.
I will sign off now with saying that I take pride in my honesty, loyalty, being a fair man, and a man of my word.
And “old all school day mom” Joe Aguis ownes the Double Olive. I appreciate you naming my business though. Its the the thought that counts. Freddy owns the Post and i sure he appreciates the plug.
Hope everyone has a great day!!!
Patrick Kiernan (Kiernan’s Steak House and Silky’s Martini Bar)
August 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I love West Dearborn and would love to see it thrive, but everytime I read articles or comments about the businesses on Michigan Avenue between Brady and Outer Drive, I always think the same thing – we’re not Royal Oak and we’re not downtown Ann Arbor, so why can’t we come up with a business district that is something different and not just restaurant upon restaurant?