Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger. Credit: Courtesy photo

It’s a new era for Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.

Founded in 1953, the Ann Arbor burger spot is under new ownership with plans to modernize the space while preserving its legacy.

Former owner Richard Magner, who ran Blimpy Burger for more than 30 years before he died last year at 74, passed the business on to a new group of owners including brothers Noah and Ethan Kaplan from Leon Speakers, York Food & Drink, and Mothfire Brewing Company; Pete Levin, a partner with Noah in Joe’s Pizza and Bo’s Bagels in Ann Arbor; and Doug Botsford, who comes with experience from a James Beard Award-winning restaurant and the food truck Juicy Ostre.

The new team says the restaurant is closing for renovations starting Tuesday, with the goal of reopening by the end of May. The updates include plans to acquire a liquor license and serve beers from Mothfire Brewing, expanding hours to serve late-night customers, and upgrading the ordering system to provide delivery options with DoorDash and Uber Eats. 

Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger is located at 304 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor. More information is available at blimpyburger.com.

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Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City.