After more than four decades in downtown Ann Arbor, Kilwins ice cream shop will soon close its doors for good. The beloved shop has been a staple for students, families, and visitors since 1983, known for its fudge, chocolates, and cones. But behind the sweet treats lies a tougher story. Owner Chera Tramontin says the decision comes after years of mounting challenges that show how fragile small businesses have become in today’s economy.
A Fixture in Downtown Ann Arbor
For many locals, Kilwins wasn’t just another ice cream shop—it was part of Ann Arbor’s identity.
Families stopped by after events, students treated themselves after finals, and visitors added it to their must-do list. The shop’s presence since 1983 made it feel permanent, a tradition woven into everyday life.
That’s why its closure has hit so hard: it marks the end of a community touchstone that many thought would always be there.
Sales Drop to a Quarter of What They Were
Tramontin revealed that gross sales have dropped to just a quarter of what they once were. A major reason, she explained, is reduced foot traffic in downtown Ann Arbor. Once bustling with steady crowds, the area has slowed, especially in recent years.
Kilwins isn’t alone in this struggle—Downtown Home and Garden, another longtime staple, also announced it will close after 30 years in business, citing rising costs, increasing rent, and fewer customers walking or driving through the area.
Rising Costs Pile On
On top of falling sales, expenses steadily climbed. Tramontin acknowledged that fair wages and rising rents were necessary realities, but when paired with utilities, supply costs, and inflation, the math simply stopped working.
The cost of running the shop ballooned while profits shrank. The financial strain became too heavy for one operator to shoulder, despite decades of history.
It’s a story that echoes across countless small businesses that find themselves caught between shrinking margins and growing bills.
Changing Consumer Habits in a College Town
Ann Arbor has long been known for its lively college-town atmosphere, but Tramontin noticed changes in consumer habits.
Students and residents who once filled downtown shops now spend more time online or socialize in different ways. Add in the shifting rhythms of post-pandemic life, and the once-reliable flow of customers has weakened.
For a store that thrived on the energy of the community, these subtle but steady cultural changes chipped away at the dependable base it once enjoyed.
A New Franchise Coming Soon
In a surprising twist, while Tramontin prepares to close her doors, Kilwins confirmed that a new franchise is expected to open elsewhere in Ann Arbor. The announcement comes just two years after the company was sold to a private equity firm in 2023.
The expansion highlights a disconnect: the brand continues to grow, while individual operators like Tramontin struggle to survive. It’s a reminder that broader corporate strategy doesn’t always reflect the realities of day-to-day shop ownership.
Community Saddened by the News
The news of Kilwins’ closure sparked an outpouring of memories from residents. Families recalled decades of celebrations marked by fudge and waffle cones, while students shared stories of late-night ice cream runs.
To many, the shop wasn’t just a place to buy sweets but a piece of Ann Arbor’s story. Losing it feels like more than losing a store—it’s losing a ritual. That personal connection explains why the closure has resonated so deeply across the community.
The Five-Word Warning
When asked to sum up the situation, Tramontin’s words were blunt: “Businesses can’t live like this.”
Those five words carried the weight of her struggles but also spoke for countless other small business owners across the country. They capture the frustration of balancing rising costs, shrinking sales, and consumer shifts that seem out of their control.
Her warning resonates as a broader critique of the economic environment that has left many local businesses on shaky ground.
A Bigger Small-Business Struggle
Kilwins’ closure is part of a larger pattern. Across Ann Arbor, multiple downtown businesses are shutting their doors, with Downtown Home and Garden set to close on Christmas Eve after three decades.
The store joins others like Ten Thousand Villages and 16 Hands, which have already shuttered. Owners point to the same factors Tramontin described: rising costs, high rents, and a drop in foot traffic, worsened by city efforts to reduce vehicle access.
Without relief, more community anchors could be lost to the same pressures.
More Than Just the End of an Ice Cream Shop
The closing of Kilwins after 42 years is both a local heartbreak and a sign of the times. Another franchise may open soon, but the loss of Tramontin’s store underscores the vulnerability of small operators.
Her five-word warning rings louder than the news itself, reminding us that beloved businesses can’t survive on memories alone. Without change, more communities may see their traditions vanish—one shuttered storefront at a time.
