Campau Tower Temporarily Shutters, Changes Hands

Three years after rebooting Hamtramck’s late-night dining favorite Campau Tower, chef Nikita Sanches and wife Jessica Sanches are giving up the keys to the eclectic eatery.

Longtime Rock City Eatery and Campau Tower employee Johnt “JP” Panich will be taking over as owner of the restaurant. Campau Tower has been temporarily closed due to the transition, but will reopen soon pending final inspections and paperwork.

“[Campau Tower] is such a passion for him,” Jessica Sanches says of Panich. “He really and truly lives for this place.”

Panich has been running the show at Campau Tower since last summer when the couple moved Rock City Eatery from Hamtramck to Detroit. However, with Campau Tower’s lease ending this month, Jessica says that it was time to reevaluate their investment in the burger restaurant. “He’s had our backs so it’s the natural progression for him [and] he’s worked really hard for it,” she says of Panich.

Panich launched a GoFundMe campaign on June 29 featuring a pretty compelling homemade video explaining why Campau Tower was closed. The crowdfunding campaign has already surpassed its $1,600 goal. Money from the fundraiser will go towards new equipment, a city license, and restocking.

According to Jessica, customers shouldn’t expect any major changes to the restaurant beyond the name on the lease. Stay tuned for updates on the reopening.

• Campau Tower needs $1,600 [GoFundMe]

• All Campau Tower Coverage [ED]

• All Ch-Ch-Changes Coverage [ED]