Save the Speakeasy

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Save the Speakeasy

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Grassroots effort to save Johnny’s Speakeasy & restore the home of Ann Arbor’s Johnny Williams

10/16/2026

GREAT NEWS - WE PASSED OUR ROUGH FRAMING INSPECTION!
This clears the way for insulation installation (next) then drywall, flooring and outdoor siding. The quality of the workmanship on Johnny's house can't be beat thanks to the generosity and talent of all the tradespeople who have worked so hard to get us past this important inspection.

If you hear bells ringing and cheers in the air you know where the noise is coming from!

Thanks to you all for being with us each step of the way!!

For those new to this project visit our Save the Speakeasy website for more info! Link in comments.

09/23/2026

It has been a busy time over at the jobsite for Johnny’s home rebuild and the Speakeasy restoration!

Lots of detailed photos for those of you interested in plumbing and water/sewer work because that, along with the very important Speakeasy egress opening has been the focus!

Here’s a summary of the latest:
- The egress opening is in! Touch and go for a minute but all good!👍
- Plumbing is hooked up to the city (water and sewer)!
With big thanks to Scott Brendel Plumbing!
- A rough-in inspection has been requested with the city. Date tbd.
- Insulation followed by drywall is being scheduled as we speak!
- And siding will be scheduled to follow the insulation install!

The interior will need lots of carpentry work, paint and flooring installation and more but the project is moving right along!

Thanks for your interest and support over all this time! With your help we are making it happen - bringing Johnny back to his home and saving the Speakeasy! What a community we have!

If you are new to this project or if you just want to make sure you haven’t missed anything visit our website SavetheSpeakeasy (link in comments).

09/01/2026

Although we've taken a short break from posting, the teams remain hard at work rebuilding Johnny's home and revving up the Speakeasy! Hope wherever you are or whatever you’ve been up to, you have had a chance to enjoy some of these summer months.

Here's what has been happening:
Along with major progress on electrical and HVAC, the new Speakeasy egress has been made and there’s now daylight! While the egree is being installed primarily for safety, the exterior approach also opens up a great opportunity to add landscaping that ties in beautifully with the eastern neighbor's yard.

If you are new to our Save the Speakeasy project you can get more information about the history as well as updates on where we're at financially (plus ways to donate) on our website at SavetheSpeakeasy.com (link in comments).

As always, thank you thank you thank you! We would never have made it this far without each and every one of you. Whether you have donated time, talent, supplies, funds and/or moral support it all matters and has made a huge difference from the start.

07/04/2026

Happy July 4, with freedom and justice for all!
Today we’re also celebrating electricity and beautiful craftsmanship.

The first photo looks a bit like Johnny’s house is sporting straggly whiskers but those cables sticking out mean electrical installation is well underway - which is great news!

And we want to take a moment to admire the beautiful craftsmanship of carpenter Jon Higgs on the new wood arch entrance he created that leads into the Speakeasy.

Everyone working on Johnny’s new home and the Speakeasy rebuild/restore are going that extra mile. They understand the history of this project and what it means to Johnny and to our whole community. We keep saying this is a labor of love and every step forward is evidence of that.

Sending love out to all of you who have been with us from the start of this campaign and to all the hands that have worked to bring the rebuild/restore part of this project to fruition.

For those new to this project or if you want to see how you can help visit SavetheSpeakeasy.com

05/16/2026

Fast and furious - our updates just keep coming right now!

The big news today is the plumbing installation that continues thanks to Scott Brendel Plumbing along with the delivery of plumbing fixtures from good friend John Newmyer!

Hope you all are enjoying this as much as we are! It has been a long difficult road for Johnny after the fire and every step of progress is momentous.

Thanks as always for your interest and support. It matters more than you know!

And if you’re new to this page and/or the Save the Speakeasy campaign you can learn more by visiting our website - link in comments.

05/14/2026

Nothing says home like a friendly front porch. And this beautiful front porch on Johnny’s house is ready for shingles thanks to Meadowlark Design & Build!

We are so thrilled to be able to be able to send along this steady stream of updates.

Thanks to you all for your interest and support!
Friend Jan Krist calls it “the house that love built” and that says it all.

For those new to this project you can learn more about it by visiting our Save the Speakeasy website. Link in comments.

05/12/2026

Come on in and see all the progress!
Meadowlark Build & Design (meadowlarkbuilders.com)and Scott Brendel Plumbing (sbrendelplumbing.com) are our heroes of the day!

Check out the start of a wonderful new front porch and continued reinforcement and framing work both outside and in.
And, drum roll please, notice the plumbing installation taking place! Actual pipes and water supply lines.
And of course you'll notice another view of the steps to the Speakeasy with additional framing reinforcement.

Such excellent work by all involved. Thank you all for the highly skilled craftsmanship you are pouring into Johnny’s new home. We are so thrilled to see the progress!

And thank you to all who continue to follow this story. Your support means everything!

If you are new to Save the Speakeasy you can learn more about the backstory of our campaign and ways to financially support the project by visiting our website (link in comments)

05/06/2026

Things are shaping up!
There’s a light at the entrance of this tunnel!!

With huge thanks to Meadowlark Design + Build and carpenter John Higgs who completed the rough & finish work on these new stairs to the basement/ Speakeasy.
Looking great!

More to come of course so keep watching for updates.

Thank you as always for your continued support!
For history on this project or ways to donate visit our website - link in comments.

04/24/2026

Happening right now at Johnny's house! The team from Lou DiCiantis Building & Cement is back working their magic pouring the floor. One more big step forward!

Big thanks to the DiCiantis team and to all of you for making this happen! Look what community coming together can do.

Will keep you posted on further developments as always. In the meantime, if you are new to this page or this whole Save the Speakeasy campaign, please visit our website (link in comments) to read about Johnny Williams and Johnny's Speakeasy why all of this matters to so many people.

04/13/2026

Happy to share another update! Today Lou DiCiantis and team came out to pour cement footings to support the front porch beam.

It’s so heartening to see every step.

Thanks to everyone involved and today especially to Lou and his crew! Absolute pros throughout this whole process.

More updates to come!

Address

2923 Dexter Road
Ann Arbor, MI
41803

Website

https://www.savethespeakeasy.com/

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