Literati Bookstore Leases New Ann Arbor Space

The bookstore plans to move into the former Downtown Home and Garden site at 210 South Ashley in 2027.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A multi-story brick building with large display windows stands in a historic downtown city center under diffuse autumn light. — Literati Bookstore has signed a lease for the building at 210 South Ashley in Ann Arbor, with plans to occupy the space in 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Literati has signed a lease for the building at 210 South Ashley, with plans to occupy the space in 2027. The location previously housed Downtown Home and Garden, which served the community until its closure in late 2025.

Why it matters

The move marks a significant expansion for the bookstore, which has operated at Fourth and Washington since 2019. This transition repurposes a notable downtown property that had been family-operated for decades.

The bookstore secured the site at 210 South Ashley, a building previously known as the home of Hertler Brothers and Downtown Home and Garden. Literati is scheduled to transition operations to this new location in 2027.

The players

Literati

An independent bookstore based in Ann Arbor that has operated at the corner of Fourth and Washington since 2019.

Downtown Home and Garden

A long-standing local business that previously operated under the name Hertler Brothers and closed its doors in 2025.

Jeanne Hodesh

A member of the family that formerly ran the Downtown Home and Garden business.

The details

Literati is planning to host a pop-up store at the 210 South Ashley location during the 2026 holiday season before the full move. The site previously served as the headquarters for Downtown Home and Garden, a business once run by Jeanne Hodesh's family.

Literati opened at Fourth and Washington in 2019.
Downtown Home and Garden closed on December 23, 2025.
The announcement of the new lease was made on October 26, 2026.
The store plans to move into the new building in 2027.

Market Landscape

This move marks the next chapter for a prominent downtown Ann Arbor property following the closure of the long-standing Hertler Brothers site. The transition reflects a broader shift in downtown retail as established local businesses relocate and repurpose legacy buildings.

Customers can anticipate a new shopping experience at the 210 South Ashley location during the 2026 holiday season. The final relocation to the new site is expected to reshape the downtown retail corridor starting in 2027.

The takeaway

The relocation of a major independent retailer highlights the ongoing evolution of Ann Arbor's historic downtown district. Readers should note that while the business is moving, the store will maintain its current location at Fourth and Washington through 2026.