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The storefront of Village Apothecary in Ann Arbor on Jan. 7, 2016.
(Matt Durr | The Ann Arbor News)
Faded merchandise still lines the display window of the store at 1112 South University.
When you walk by it seems as if the store is still open, but as you get closer it becomes more apparent something is off.
The door is locked but just by peering through the windows, passersby can see fully stocked beverage cases and shelves filled with products. A missed package note from November hangs on the door and looks to be untouched.
After 50 years in business, The Village Apothecary in Ann Arbor appears to have closed its doors. But for how long is uncertain.
Located in the heart of the campus of the University of Michigan, the building has been a staple of the shopping corridor along South University for nearly 90 years.The name The Village Apothecary was given to the business in 1964 when Fred Kreye bought the business and property.
Former owner Garry Turner listed the 4,758 square-foot building for sale in August at an asking price of $1.6 million.
The property was transferred to 1112 South University LLC for $1, according to a covenant deed recorded by the Washtenaw County Clerk's office. The LLC is listed to a realty group based out of Southfield. Attempts to reach Turner and the LLC were unsuccessful.
City records have not been updated to reflect a sale price for the property. The listing for the 1112 South University indicates the business sold for $1.5 million in November, but it doesn't indicate who bought the business.
The property had an assessed value of $308,700, giving it an estimated fair market value of $617,400.
In April, the store announced the pharmacy was closed as of April 25. Calls and emails to Turner at that time were not returned either. The actual drug store remained open. Pharmacy customers were caught off guard by the closing and were referred to other pharmacy's in the area.
The building opened in 1930 and had operated as a pharmacy up until the time Turner closed the pharmacy operation last year.
Matt Durr is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Email him at mattdurr@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.