All things must pass (according to George).
And unfortunately, WeloveAnnArbor-Dexter must pass. While we heard from many in the community over the years that we were not only doing a great job, but an important job, the financial support has almost completely disappeared.
Owner Rob Ewing started WeloveAnnArbor-Dexter with the goal of creating content focused on the wonderful and dedicated people of Ann Arbor and Dexter. We tried to highlight everything from the B2B Trail to local events to spotlights on high school athletes to features on artistic/creative/successful people to the amazing happenings at The Purple Rose – and everything and anything else that shined a bright light on our community.
Rob, a successful and longtime real estate agent, wanted a web site that was a throwback to the longtime small town local newspapers like The Dexter Leader, Chelsea Standard and Ann Arbor News. Talking to the people in his community he realized there was still a need for such a resource and felt it was an important part of that small town appeal.
And while the vehicle to deliver news has certainly changed, we believe there is still a strong interest in a community to read about local high school athletes or the stars of an upcoming play or a couple opening a local business. There really is no one doing that anymore, especially at the level we were doing it. IMHO 🙂
Rob never set out to make WeloveAnnArbor-Dexter a financial windfall for his real estate business. He was more than happy to break even or even take a little bit of a hit because he felt it was his way of giving back to the community. And Rob has always been about his community.
With the recent departure of several advertisers, it is no longer possible to keep the web site going. And that makes everyone here sad because we enjoy telling YOUR stories. We were hoping to generate more advertising revenue here in 2026 which would have allowed us to return to the way we covered these communities not too long ago but it doesn’t appear to be happening.
We want to either do it right or not at all – and, unfortunately, there isn’t the financial backing to do it the right way and the way these communities deserve. We are leaving the door open a crack in case some local businesses would be willing to advertise and support us – but our fate appears to be sealed.
So, thank you and goodbye!
A very special shoutout to some amazing people we can’t thank enough – Jo Mathis and the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Pioneer AD Eve Claar, Melissa Bondy at CTN, Fran LeFort at WCC, Skyline swim coach Maureen Murrett, Hope Vestergaard and the folks at Dexter schools, Dexter soccer coach Jamie Lewis, Skyline basketball coach Mike Lovelace, Pioneer Theatre’s Jayme Kelmigian, FGR AD Mickey Redmond, Dottie Davis, Dexter AD Mike Bavineau (Go Bills!), Kimberly Sheldon, Lynne Kochmanski, Pete Nowakowski, Donna Iadipaolo, Bob Wellman, Nicole Robertson, Patrick Zakrajsek, Doris Galvin, U-M’s David Ablauf (Go Blue!), Barb Chaffer Authier, Jon Sundermann, Ann Arbor Spark, Bill Bellers, Chris Morgan, Sandy Goetz, Candy Jones-Guerin and everyone at The Purple Rose (Caitlin and Katie). And so many others …
Rob Ewing / Terry Jacoby / WeLoveAnnArbor-Dexter staff
