Nickels Arcade

Photo of Skylight in Nickels Arcade in November 1948, Photo from Ann Arbor News, archived in the Ann Arbor District Library, retrieved via Stanton MLive article.

One-Point Perspective of Nickels Arcade, September 20, 2024, by Jiyoon Han.

Unwrapping a Century:

Tom Nickels’ Gift to

Ann Arbor

by Jiyoon Han

As you pass by South State Street in one of Ann Arbor’s most beloved downtown districts, an eye-catching, narrow alleyway may draw you over to investigate. When you step inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee envelops you, as bright lights dazzle overhead. Welcome to the Nickels Arcade, a deep-rooted landmark that embodies the rich history of Ann Arbor and its people, as well as the story of its namesake, Tom Nickels himself.

Believe it or not, Tom E. Nickels was the State Street butcher of a meat market (see 1915 photo below) he inherited from his father (Shackman). As for where his inspiration came from, it has been lost to time, but the rest of his story is not. As a man with unyielding confidence in Ann Arbor’s potential to grow (Shackman), he truly lived up to his name, Tom, which, with its Hebrew origins, carries meanings of “completeness,” “innocence,” “simplicity,” and “integrity of mind” ("Lexicon").

Apropos, Nickels had bright visions about Ann Arbor's potential to grow. He took ownership of the land reaching down to Maynard Street with the intention of “tearing it down and building the elegant European-style Nickels Arcade” (Shackman). Nickels’ creation was to become one of only a few of these indoor shopping arcades in America during a time when shopping malls did not exist (Olito et al.). In 1915, Nickels hired architect Herman Pipp for assistance and brought his dreams to fruition by 1918, ultimately planting the seeds of the stylish, modernistic businesses that ensued (Shackman). From a barbershop as old as the arcade itself to succeeding stores brought to life by different owners with the same passions, the complex became home to many creative and dedicated individuals. “It has a heart. It has a presence,” remarked Nickels’ grandson Frederick Herbert in a 2023 Michigan Daily article, encapsulating visitors’ sentiment of the aura (Hammond).

Archival photo of original Nickles meat market (1915), courtesy of Ann Arbor News (archived in the Ann Arbor District Library).

Bon Bon Bon in Nickels Arcade, September 20, 2024, by Jiyoon Han.

Michigan Merch in Nickels Arcade, September 20, 2024, by Jiyoon Han.

Dayna Mae Photography, September 20, 2024, by Jiyoon Han.

With time came evolving ownership of the businesses inside, and before long, the picturesque lineup of merchandise storefronts brought forth “a mix of old-time stores,” dually housing the tobacco shop (1964) and Arcadian Antiques (1983) next to “Babo Juice and Food” and “Comet Coffee,” which are stores geared towards more contemporary pursuits (Shackman). Inarguably, every shop contributes to a diverse palette of colors while fostering a sense of camaraderie still seen today. A testament to this solidarity comes from the University Flower Shop owner, Danielle Vignos, who humorously remarked to The Michigan Daily in 2023 that there is no “competitor” when signing the leasing contract because “everybody wants everyone’s businesses to thrive” (Lapp).

At seventy years old, the arcade received the National Register of Historic Places designation in 1987 (Shackman) and gratifyingly went on to earn the 2017 Centennial Award to honor its 100th year (Thacher). The legacy of Nickels’ endeavors as the arcade visionary surfaces through the timeless spirit of the alleyway and the people who pass through it. It’s no wonder that his surname Nickels, comes from the Greek words nikan, meaning “to conquer,” and laos, signifying “people” (Reaney and Wilson). Nickels has truly reached the apex of artistic pursuit and has given Ann Arbor an irreplaceable gift.

Works Cited

Hammond, Madison. “‘It Has a Heart, It Has a Presence:’ The Story behind Nickels Arcade .” The Michigan Daily, 28 June 2023, www.michigandaily.com/news/business/it-has-a-heart-it-has-a-presence-the-story-behind-nickels-arcade/. Accessed 03 Oct. 2024.

Han, Jiyoon. Bon Bon Bon in Nickels Arcade. 20 Sep. 2024. Author’s personal collection.

Han, Jiyoon. Dayna Mae Photography. 20 Sep. 2024. Author’s personal collection.

Han, Jiyoon. Michigan Merch in Nickels Arcade. 20 Sep. 2024. Author’s personal collection.

Han, Jiyoon. One-Point Perspective of Nickels Arcade. 20 Sep. 2024. Author’s personal collection.

“Lexicon::Strong's H8537 - tōm." Blue Letter Bible, n.d., www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8537/kjv/wlc/0-1/. Accessed 03 Oct. 2024.

Lapp, Emma. “Nickels Arcade: University Flower Shop.” The Michigan Daily, 26 June 2023, www.michigandaily.com/news/business/nickels-arcade-university-flower-shop/. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.

"Meat Market Was Established by J.H. Nickles." 1915. Ann Arbor News archived in the Ann Arbor District Library. Retrieved via MLive article by Ryan Stanton. https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2017/12/see_photos_of_ann_arbors_nicke.html Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

Olito, Frank , et al. “The Oldest Mall in Every State.” Business Insider, 10 May 2024, www.businessinsider.com/oldest-mall-in-every-state. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

Photo of Skylight in Nickels Arcade. November 1948. Ann Arbor News archived in the Ann Arbor District Library. Retrieved via MLive article by Ryan Stanton. https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2017/12/see_photos_of_ann_arbors_nicke.html Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X). https://www.houseofnames.com/nickels-family-crest. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.

Shackman, Grace. “Nickels Arcade Celebrates 100 Years.” Ann Arbor District Library, 24 May 2017, aadl.org/node/360725. Accessed 03 Oct. 2024.

Stanton, Ryan. “See Photos of Ann Arbor’s Nickels Arcade over the Last 100 Years.” MLive, 28 Dec. 2017, www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2017/12/see_photos_of_ann_arbors_nicke.html. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Thacher, Jill. “36th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Presented.” A2gov.org, The City of Ann Arbor, 21 June 2024, www.a2gov.org/news/Pages/article.aspx?i=980. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

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