There was a time when artsy-fartsy was seen as a bad thing. Not so for Ypsilanti's Depot Town, where two artists are moving their shops into the historic business district.

Say goodbye (sort of) to the Silver Spoon antique store and the Gordon's Five & Dime candy story at 23 and 25 E. Cross Street. Silver Spoon is consolidating with Apple Annie's a few doors down and Gordon's is going out of business.

Say hello to Mary Potts and Nelson Amos. Potts is a photographer who also makes large collages. She has taking over the old Silver Spoon space. Amos, a music professor at Eastern Michigan University, will move his painting studio into the Gordon's space in September.

"In this economic climate it was heart-stopping to lose two stores," says Carolyn McKeever, who co-owns the building with her husband Gary McKeever. "But these two people just popped up and stepped in."

That says quite a bit about Depot Town where a variety of small, eclectic businesses have found a vibrant yet inexpensive place to set up shop. Fantasy Attic recently moved into the district from Ann Arbor and Broughton Music and a live performance bar are preparing to move into the Thompson Block development next year.

That section of town is known for its historic buildings and lively atmosphere. McKeever's building is the old Follett House, a restored 1850s hotel.

Source: Carolyn McKeever, co-owner of 23 and 25 East Cross
Writer: Jon Zemke