12 Detroit Area Restaurant Closures to Know Now #DetroitFood

From a critically lauded riverside staple, a genre-bending space in Eastern Market, and more

While 2023 marked the year of the hotel restaurant and splurge-worthy hot spot in Detroit, so far 2024 has been punctuated by a series of closures, including both beloved long-time staples and relatively newer arrivals. Fewer Americans are choosing to dine out and inflation of food costs are just some of the current economic market conditions that are forcing restaurants to close. Some have pointed to being unable to come to agreeable terms to renew their leases, while others cite a lack of steady customers as factors contributing to their demise.

Among the many food and drink businesses contending with these macro issues is Michigan-based Mission Restaurant Group. The hospitality group, which provides management services for several locally based establishments, including Avalon Bakery and Jolly Pumpkin, had taken steps to cut costs since at least the past year or so, including relocating the bakeshop’s iconic flagship location on Willis last year into a space within Jolly Pumpkin a block away on Canfield. In April, the group also shuttered Vigilante Kitchen, the short-lived but lauded restaurant whose chef Aaron Cozzad aimed to create a sober-friendly environment for his team. Shortly after the closing, Cozzad told Eater that while the restaurant had no trouble filling seats on the weekends, weekdays were a different story and the business struggled to attract visitors. In place of Vigilante, Epiphany Nain Rouge Kitchen launched in May, but that concept appears to have already shuttered. Elsewhere, the restaurant group’s Bandit Tavern & Hideaway at Fifth and Main in Royal Oak also closed permanently earlier this month after just eight months of service. Bandit had previously been the home to several well-known Royal Oak destinations, including, Bastone Brewery, Vinotecca Wine Bar, Café Habana, and more recently Jolly Pumpkin. Of the Royal Oak closure, Mission president David Ritchie said that the restaurant group would be working with existing staff members to place them in jobs at its other locations.

“We are proud to have served the Royal Oak community for two decades, employed thousands of people, introduced 11 unique restaurant concepts, and made lifelong friends. Unfortunately, current market conditions have forced us to focus our attention and resources in other areas,” said Ritchie in a written statement.

The Shutter, a regularly updated roundup of Detroit and metro Detroit’s restaurant closures, is your resource to find out what’s on its way out. The list is by no means comprehensive. Have information on another closing? Send all tips to detroit@eater.com.

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March 2024

DEARBORN — Bd’s Mongolian Grill (22115 Michigan Avenue), the decades-old stalwart customizable Mongolian barbecue spot, a chain that got its start in Ferndale, abruptly closed its doors for good to the dismay of generations of metro Detroiters.

DOWNTOWN — Nathan’s Deli (581 E Jefferson Avenue), a downtown staple for stacked deli sandwiches for nearly 30 years, said goodbye to fans in a March Facebook post when it announced its closure.

April 2024

SOUTHFIELD — Bacco Ristorante (29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield), run by iconic metro Detroit chef Luciano DelSignore closed after a more than two-decade-long run. The Italian eatery and the chef’s mentorship have often been credited by chefs throughout the local industry as the catalyst for a wave of young culinary talent.

MIDTOWN — Vigilante Kitchen (644 Selden Street), an ambitious project from chef Aaron Cozzad, closed after just under a year in service. Cozzad was hoping to design a sober-friendly atmosphere for the restaurant’s staff to help combat the restaurant industry’s prevalence of addiction.

May 2024

CASS CORRIDOR — Temple Bar (2906 Cass Avenue), the beloved LGBTQ nightlife venue in Detroit’s Cass Corridor neighborhood, closed indefinitely following structural damage to the bar’s building facade. The good news is it looks like Temple Bar is on its way toward a resurrection, with the ownership mentioning on Facebook that permits have pulled and approved in order to move forward with repairs.

WEST VILLAGE — Mumma Maria’s House (8122 Kercheval Avenue), the cozy, homey red sauce Italian restaurant launched by Carl Giordano in honor of his late wife Maria, closed on East Kercheval in May. An Instagram post suggests that the business is looking to relocate.

June 2024

EASTERN MARKET — Bunny Bunny (1454 Gratiot Avenue), the Eastern Market eatery known for its creative takes on South African Indian and American South cuisine launched in 2020 by Justin Tootla and Jennifer Jackson, shuttered for good in June. The founders initially announced plans to close in 2022, but months later shared that the restaurant would remain open through the end of its lease. Stay tuned on its social media as Bunny Bunny is now operating as a pop-up. Similarly, Cøllect, the sister beer bar situated above the restaurant, also closed, however has plans to relocate to the eastside.

RIVERTOWN — Rattlesnake Club (300 River Pl Drive), the Rivertown establishment that brought Detroit its first James Beard award in 1993, closed permanently, citing changes in dining habits and struggles to rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic.

LIVONIA — Chicken Guy (30130 Plymouth Road Space A, Livonia), the brainchild of celebrity chef Guy Fieri, closed its Michigan location just over a year after launching in Livonia, citing ”unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.”

HAZEL PARK — Framebar (23839 John R Road #1, Hazel Park), the Hazel Park bar and pop-up venue closed permanently two weeks after an Eater Detroit article revealed concerns over its business practices with local pop-up operators. Owner Joe Vaughn told Eater that a new chef and concept would be taking its place, though no further announcements have been made.

ROYAL OAK — Pop’s Hani Shop (32538 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak), launched in May 2023 by National Coney Island centering an unsung hero in the Coney Island genre — the Hani — shuttered in June 2024 following a dispute with its landlord.

July 2024

ROYAL OAK — Bandit Tavern & Hideaway (419 S Main St, Royal Oak), one of the latest ventures out of the Mission Restaurant Group, closed after just eight months in operation. In a statement about the shutter, Mission president David Ritchie said that current market conditions forced the decision to close.

from Eater Detroit - All