Flash with a Heart of Denim

continued

Mazor says he's wanted to be in Ann Arbor for years but only if he could be on this particular block of State Street. In fact, he says he contacted Shaman Drum before it closed "because, well, you know, the way independent bookstores are going under these days. Not that I was trying to be a vulture or anything," Mazor says, sounding slightly uncomfortable about replacing the type of business that provides the retail atmosphere that allows his stores to thrive.

Mazor has no plans at the moment for other stores. In fact, his next move may be to close his store in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. "It's a dog," he admits. "My father said one of these days I was going to make a mistake, and that might be it."

Pitaya, 315 S. State. 761-4444. Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. www.pitayaonline.com

Got a retail or restaurant change? Send email to sallymitani@gmail.com or tonymcreynolds@tds.net or leave voicemail at 769-3175, ext. 309.   

[Originally published in December, 2009.]