Clawson Takeout Shack Atomic Chicken Is Closing (But Only for the Season)

Fear not, Atomic Chicken lovers of Clawson. A tipster had alerted Eater over the weekend to a possible shutter of the takeout-only ‘burbs outpost. Reached for comment, co-owner Scott Moloney says the chef-driven fried chicken restaurant will close its doors this evening and return next spring.

Moloney says that like a ice cream shack, he and his partners are considering the takeout operation to be a seasonal business that may not fare well when cool weather hits. “We’re getting proactive. Our goal is to close down for the season and reopen in April,” he says with a full built-out patio area.

With a little more time on their hands, the partners will get to focus even more attention on the oft-delayed opening of Atomic in New Center. That larger restaurant, says Moloney, has been a “victim” of QLine construction on Woodward Avenue, but he expects that will be completed by December. Atomic is currently still in the throes of an extensive build-out with about 80-percent of the dining room complete. More work still needs to be done on the service area and prep areas, though equipment has already been ordered. When the restaurant finally debuts (possibly in December), Moloney teases that there will be a few new menu items on offer.

In other news, chef Matthew Baldridge has sold his shares in the business in order to focus entirely on launching The Conserva in Ferndale. Moloney called the separation of the partnership “amicable.” Stay tuned for more updates on the New Center location in the coming weeks.

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