RenCen Restaurant Granite City Food & Brewery Closes in Downtown Detroit #DetroitFood

Granite City Food and Brewery. | Michelle and Chris Gerard

The chain was recently purchased out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Downtown Detroit’s Granite City Food & Brewery appears to have closed its doors. A tipster tells Eater that a sign was posted to the door of the Renaissance Center restaurant and bar today indicating that the location was permanently closed. The Detroit address is no longer listed on the chain’s website.

The Minneapolis-based casual chain, known for its beers brewed partially on-site, opened inside the RenCen in 2016. The massive 16,000-square-foot restaurant sat 450 people with a large patio facing Jefferson Avenue. At the time, it was among 35 locations in the U.S.

Although somewhat sudden, the closure isn’t entirely a surprise. Granite City’s parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, citing changes in consumer habits such as the shift to takeout ordering and competition from fast-casual chains. In February, the company was purchased out of bankruptcy by the owner of Famous Dave’s BBQ, according to Crain’s.

Michigan’s two remaining locations are continuing to operate for now in Novi and Troy, according to the company website. Eater has reached out to Granite City’s corporate branch for more information regarding the closure.

• Granite City Food & Brewery to be Purchased Out of Bankruptcy by Famous Dave’s Owner [Crain’s]
• Troubled Times for Granite City Restaurant Group [Crain’s]
• Look Inside the RenCen’s Gargantuan Granite City Food & Brewery [ED]
• All Closings Coverage [ED]

from Eater Detroit - All