Social Sushi Settles Down In Roosevelt Park

Social Sushi may be getting a more permanent home in an unlikely place, according to a recent article in Crain's. The pop up is seeking a home in Roosevelt Park, in a building to be made of shipping containers and reclaimed material from old Detroit homes.

The project is spearheaded by students from Lawrence Technological University and Southwest Detroit's Western International High School, who are working together with professor Steven Coy and Phil Cooley, owner of Slows Bar BQ, to improve the park. They feel that this building and its tenant, Social Sushi, would help the community:

"The pop-up restaurant Social Sushi would lease the building at a rate of about $1,000 to $1,200 per month, with rent payments primarily going toward park maintenance. Rent money could also be used for park improvements and events, Cooley said. "

They are still getting approval for the project on all fronts, and plan to build the building off site. It sounds like there's a lot to be done, but those involved are optimistic:

"Jay Rayford Jr., co-founder of Social Sushi, said the restaurant would have no more than 40 seats and that an official opening would be in mid- or late June, pending various approvals, including those from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for a liquor license and Detroit City Council of site plans."

With all that there is to do, it remains to be seen as to whether or not they'll meet that deadline, especially as things tend to move much slower than anticipated in Detroit, but Cooley knows that community support can go a long way:

"We are hopeful that time frame is realistic," Cooley said. "We are hopeful that this is something that won't see a lot of resistance, something that people will rally behind."

A public meeting about the project will take place at Ponyride this Friday at 5:30 p.m.
· Students aim to spruce up park with building for restaurant [Crain's]
· All Corktown Coverage [-ED-]