Detroit Vegan Soul Aims for Early Spring Opening in Grandmont Rosedale

West Village’s phenomenal plant-based eatery Detroit Vegan Soul is still a few months out from opening day at its forthcoming West Side expansion. The second restaurant, slated to fill the old Blue Moon Ice Cream shop at 19614 Grand River Avenue in Grandmont Rosedale, is expected to debut in early April, co-owner Kirsten Ussery-Boyd confirms to Eater.

“We are confident that the second location will be open by April,” she says, adding that an official date will likely be set in the next few weeks. Ussery-Boyd notes that the Grandmont Rosedale location is an exciting next step for her and chef/owner Erika Boyd “not only because it represents growth and it's in a very welcoming community, but we're actually purchasing the building.”

The new location has a similar footprint to its counterpart in West Village, seating between 32 and 34 patrons. But the Grandmont Rosedale restaurant has the advantage of its own dedicated parking lot and a larger kitchen.

Robin Runyun

Erika Boyd’s brother Sammie Boyd is designing the space. “We wanted to keep the same cozy, intimate atmosphere we have in West Village,” Ussery-Boyd says. “It will be warm and a little more modern and will be a mix of refined woodwork with vintage touches.”

Both Detroit Vegan Soul locations will share the same basic menu with dishes like “catfish” tofu and seitan pepper steak, with the Grandmont Rosedale outpost introducing a few new dishes. “The dessert offerings will be slightly different at each location,” Ussery-Boyd adds.

If the second outpost isn’t keeping them busy enough, Detroit Vegan Soul’s team is in the early stages of opening even more restaurants. “We've been approached with an opportunity for further expansion that we're excited about but we're waiting for more details,” Ussery-Boyd says.

In the meantime, Detroit Vegan Soul is preparing for Detroit Restaurant Week in February.

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