Title
Resolution to Rescind Any Previous Recommendations Regarding A2WINEMAN, LLC and Approve Issuance of New Full-Year Class C Quota Liquor Licenses in the City of Ann Arbor to A2WINEMAN, LLC at 504 - 512 S. Main Street
Memorandum
Following the results of the 2020 decennial census, the City of Ann Arbor convened a public process to issue eight new Class C licenses under the State’s Class C quota system.
The Liquor License Review Committee designed and implemented a competitive application process for the eight available licenses. The process gave particular interest to applicants who intended to enhance the community with the uniqueness of their business, diversify the city's offerings, and illustrate commitment and actions related to the City's A2ZERO initiative. Following that process and the Liquor Committee’s recommendation, on June 6, 2022, City Council approved a recommendation to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) for the issuance of new Class C licenses to the eight selected businesses “above all others.”
On March 2, 2026, after more than three years since that recommendation, City Council rescinded their recommendation for the issuance of a new Class C liquor license to A2Wineman “above all others” citing the business’s failure to make any substantial progress towards opening and activating the license. On March 26, 2026, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, following the City’s action, concurred and rescinded the issuance of the license.
Following the MLCC’s decision, A2Wineman, LLC appealed the decision and began to make substantial progress towards opening their business, now named Stosh and Louie’s, including receiving a final certificate of occupancy. At the June 23, 2026 appeal hearing, the MLCC overturned their previous recension of the license and ordered “the file to be returned to Licensing staff for continued processing of the application.” As part of this decision, the City approval of the issuance of the license is required as part of the application process.
City staff recommends that City Council recommend issuance of the Class C liquor license to A2Wineman “above all others.”
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: John Reiser, Assistant City Attorney
Sponsored by: Council Liquor License Review Committee
Body
Whereas, Following the decennial census, the City of Ann Arbor was notified by the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission that the City had eight on-premise Class C liquor license available for award under the State’s quota system;
Whereas, The decision to recommend issuance of a new quota liquor license is the prerogative of the local governmental unit;
Whereas, The City Council established a Liquor License Review Committee to review all applications for liquor licenses in the City of Ann Arbor;
Whereas, The Liquor License Review Committee designed and implemented a competitive application process, including the publication of this process inviting applications from new and existing businesses;
Whereas, The Liquor License Review Committee reviewed all applications submitted within the prescribed process, with particular interest in applicants who intend to enhance the community with the uniqueness of their business, diversify the city's offerings, and commitment and actions related to the city's A2ZERO initiative;
Whereas, At their meeting on June 6, 2022, the Ann Arbor City Council voted to recommend issuance of a new Class C liquor license to eight businesses including A2WINEMAN, LLC at 504 - 512 S. Main St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104;
Whereas, The final approval of a license at their designated location was recommended subject to approval by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and a background investigation and approval by City departments;
Whereas, A2WINEMAN, LLC at 504 - 512 S. Main St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 did not activate its license in the more than three years since initial recommendation of approval;
Whereas, A2WINEMAN, LLC at 504 - 512 S. Main St. was issued an Approval Order by the MLCC on August 1, 2023 and pursuant to administrative rule R 436.1050, this approval was valid for two (2) years from the date of the approval order unless the Commission has been provided with a notice of pending litigation involving the application;
Whereas, Ann Arbor City Council rescinded their previous recommendation of approval on March 2, 2026 after more than three years of inactivity by the business and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission concurred with the decision and rescinded the State approval of the issuance of a license to A2Wineman, LLC on March 26, 2026;
Whereas, A2Wineman, LLC appealed the decision with the MLCC, and began to make progress towards opening their business, now named Stosh and Louie’s; and
Whereas, At the June 23, 2026 appeal hearing, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission overturned their previous recension of the license and ordered the “file to be returned to Licensing staff for continued processing of the application.”
RESOLVED, That the City Council rescinds any previous recommendations regarding A2Wineman, LLC;
RESOLVED, That the City Council recommends that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission approve the request from A2WINEMAN, LLC at 504 - 512 S. Main St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 for Approval of a New Class C Liquor License “Above All Others;” and
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and A2Wineman, LLC.
Sponsored by: Council Liquor License Review Committee