Ima Targets Late-November Noodle Bar Opening in Madison Heights

New noodle outpost nears opening

Corktown’s udon noodle hotspot Ima is looking to open its second location within the next two weeks in Madison Heights, Crain’s reports. Chef Mike Ransom’s new restaurant is located at 32203 John R. Rd. and will have a larger footprint than the original with seats for 65 customers and a parking lot.

Name switcheroo

Always Brewing Detroit is getting a new name. Come Saturday, November 24, the Northwest Detroit coffee shop will be dubbed Town Hall Caffe’. The rebrand is also coming with a new look including fresh coats of paint on the wall and floors.

Royal Oak waffles on food trucks

The Royal Oak City Commission voted against changing its ordinance banning food trucks from operating downtown, according to the Daily Tribune. Several businesses without kitchens including Motor City Gas Whiskey and River Rouge Brewing had expressed a desire to host food trucks to attract customers and requested the ban be lifted. The Royal Oak Restaurant Association had opposed the proposal. It wasn’t a complete loss though. The City Commission will allow businesses to pull special event permits to host the trucks.

State lawmakers move to change minimum wage and sick leave proposals

After approving voter-supported proposals for minimum wage increases and earned sick leave, as expected, Michigan’s Republican-led legislature is proposing to make changes to the language of those laws in a lame-duck session. The introduced changes include bringing back the tipped minimum wage for restaurant workers and changing the amount of time employees are required to give notice for leave. Both proposals had been strongly opposed by business and restaurant lobbies.

Local food organization has tools stolen

Bandhu Gardens, and organization that showcases the gardening and cooking talents of Bangladeshi women living in Detroit, recently had some of its equipment stolen. The group has started a GoFundMe campaign for $1,600 to replace the stolen items including shovels, wheelbarrows, gas griddles, and more.

Soccer team gets its own branded moonshine

Hamtramck-based soccer team Detroit City FC has partnered up with Detroit City Distillery to launch its own custom moonshine called City Gold. The release party is being hosted on Thursday, November 15 at the Elmwood Park Clubhouse at 5:30 p.m. Each bottle costs $125.

New restaurant aims for December debut on the Avenue of Fashion

Good Times on the Avenue is on track to open in mid-December inside the former 1917 American Bistro space on Livernois Avenue. The two story restaurant, which features a rooftop patio, has undergone a full remodel and will serve steak and seafood dishes including lobster, shrimp, steak and lamb chops. The restaurant was confirmed in August when it won a Motor City Match grant.

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