Middle Earth, a longtime retailer on Ann Arbor’s South University Avenue, plans to close by the end of the year.
The shop at 1209 S. University Ave. carries a range of eclectic gifts and is one of the Ann Arbor’s unique shopping destinations. Middle Earth’s website describes its merchandise as “wonderful, odd, funny, absurd and sometimes offensive…but always in good fun.”
Cynthia Shevel and Hope Meadows pictured at Middle Earth in 2007.
The store carries jewelry, accessories, imported folks art, postcards, candles, incense, kitchen and house wares, gifts and more.
In a news statement released Tuesday evening, Middle Earth owner Cynthia Shevel wrote:
"When I first decided to open Middle Earth in 1967, I never dreamed that I would love creating and developing it as much as I have and I am grateful that the store has meant so much to many people who have visited it throughout all these years. I will miss it and I know many others will too.”
A going-out-of-business sale will begin Oct. 8, and the store will close in December. Store fixtures will also be sold.
Shevel marketed Middle Earth for sale in 2007. In the news statement released Wednesday, Shevel said there were too many obstacles in selling the business.
Shevel's decision to close Middle Earth comes seven months after Selo/Shevel Gallery closed at 301 S. Main St. Shevel and her partner, Elaine Selo, sold the three-story South Main Street building to Metro Detroit ophthalmologist Reza Rahmani of Rahmani Eye Institute PC. At the time, Shevel said the pair planned to retire.
Selo and Shevel met 48 years ago while attending the University of Michigan. The year they met, Shevel, a California native, opened Middle Earth gift shop in a sublet room on East Liberty Street. The shop later moved to 1209 S. University Ave.
It was inside the Middle Earth store on South University Avenue where Selo and Shevel started their Selo/Shevel Gallery in 1982.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-255-2638, email her lizzyalfs@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.