Bobcat Bonnie’s in Wyandotte Abruptly Closes Its Doors

After less than a year of business, Bobcat Bonnie’s Wyandotte outpost has shuttered. Owner Matthew Buskard tells Eater that the restaurant would close effective immediately. Staff were notified ahead of time and he says that roughly 50 percent of the employees have new positions lined up.

Buskard and his partners struck a deal with the owners of the Downriver building at 118 Sycamore St. in January to take over day-to-day business operations at the site. The space, previously home to Bourbon’s Brews & Bayou, was quickly transformed into a second location of the popular Corktown gastropub Bobcat Bonnie’s. The Bonnie’s team had recently made offers to buyout the business in its entirety, however they were unable to agree to terms. In a statement posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page this afternoon, Bonnie’s thanked customers for their support:

Friends and Fans-

We have unfortunately decided to close our Wyandotte location. We have loved so much being a part of such a vibrant, growing community that has welcomed us warmly. We have been working on trying to find a way to purchase the business from our partners who had it previously as Bourbons. Despite our best offers and attempts, we couldn't find common ground. We want to make it clear this decision had nothing to do with the sales, staff or location.

It is a huge disappointment to be closing Bobcat Wyandotte. After being many places prior that didn't work we came in with Bobcat Bonnies and it took off! To be saying goodbye to a busy restaurant, an amazing staff, a great community and a fantastic landlord is incredibly disheartening.

Thank you for your love Wyandotte! We will keep our eyes open for a potential return!

Bobcat Bonnie’s, along with several other Detroit restaurants, was the subject of a report on restaurant expansions to Wyandotte back in June. At the time, Buskard told Eater that the restaurant was as profitable as the Corktown location despite opening for fewer hours a week. Dangerously Delicious Pies also recently discussed closing its storefront in Wyandotte following a major overhaul in management at the company.

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