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AADL Talks To: John Metzger

John Metzger, Heidi Metzger, Ryan Dunkelberger
John Metzger, Heidi Metzger, and Ryan Dunkelberger, December 2023

In this episode, AADL Talks To John Metzger, third-generation owner of Metzger's Restaurant at 305 N Zeeb Rd. John walks us through the history of his family's restaurant, from its origin 90 years ago on Washington Street in Ann Arbor, and discusses what's changed - and what's remained the same - over the years as the business passed from his grandfather to his father to John. He also shares his memories of growing up in the restaurant; his efforts, along with his sister Heidi, to reopen at a new location on the west side of town after closing the downtown location; and he talks about the employees and customers that have kept the business a thriving enterprise for nearly a century.

Read historical articles about Metzger's.

Browse our Metzger Family Collection featuring many of the historical photos that line the walls of Metzger's Restaurant.

City Officials Welcome Army Airmen To The Ann Arbor Airport, May 1941 Photographer: Eck Stanger

City Officials Welcome Army Airmen To The Ann Arbor Airport, May 1941 image
Year:
1941
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 5, 1941
Caption:
AIRMEN AND WELCOMING OFFICIALS: When the squadron of army planes descended on the Ann Arbor airport yesterday afternoon, local officials welcomed the officers. Shown above, grouped left to right in front of an army transport ship, are: Aldermen A. D. Moore, T. Luther Purdom, director of the University bureau of appointments, Maj. F. M. Showalter, Mayor Leigh J. Young, Maj. J. W. Schroder, Lt. Ray G. Stark, Sheriff John L. Osborn, Capt. Ward M. Estes, J. W. Meadows, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Earl H. Cress, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Col. J. L. Bachus and Police Chief Norman E. Cook.

Crowd Watching Bell Airacobra At The Ann Arbor Airport, May 1941 Photographer: Eck Stanger

Crowd Watching Bell Airacobra At The Ann Arbor Airport, May 1941 image
Year:
1941
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 5, 1941
Caption:
FIGHTER'S SPEED THRILLS CROWD: The several thousand persons who jammed the Ann Arbor airport yesterday afternoon were given a special treat when one of the army's fast Bell Airacobras flashed above the field at dazzling speed. The ship, shown above, has turned in a mark of 621 miles an hours.

Petty Officer Charles Albert Virant & Sgt. John F. Bartek Share War Stories, February 1943 Photographer: Eck Stanger

Petty Officer Charles Albert Virant & Sgt. John F. Bartek Share War Stories, February 1943 image
Year:
1943
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, February 22, 1943
Caption:
EXCHANGE NOTES ON RAFT EXPERIENCES: Petty Officer Charles Albert Virant (left) and Sgt. John F. Bartek (right) got together for a few minutes in the Allenel hotel to exchange notes on their experiences adrift in the ocean on rafts. Virant, a U. S. Navy gunner on a merchant ship, spent 17 days on a raft in the South Atlantic after his ship was torpedoed. Bartek, who was with Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, lived 22 days on a raft in the Pacific. They will tell of their trips by raft, during the Army's program in Hill auditorium tonight.