New Ferndale patio bar
The Rust Belt Market is preparing to unveil a new patio bar called Bar Hop during Ferndale Pride on June 2. Co-owner Chris Best tells Metro Times that Bar Hop will feature a variety of custom furniture made with barn wood from Altmont, Michigan. On the menu, customers can expect bottled and canned beers, four tapped cocktails and mocktails, and boozy popsicles. The bar will remain open on weekend evenings until 2 a.m.
Campaign continues to raise minimum wage
Michigan One Fair Wage, the group campaigning to raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $12 per hour, has submitted 373,507 signatures to the Bureau of Elections, according to the Detroit News. The state requires 252,523 valid voter signatures to make the issue a ballot initiative in November. The proposal, which is supported by the Restaurant Opportunities Center, would increase the state’s minimum wage annually from $9.25 per hour to $12 by 2022 and tie future increases to inflation. It’s also particularly important to restaurants because it would phase out the tipped minimum wage of $3.52 by 2024, meaning all service industry workers would also receive the standard minimum wage.
Awards season
Chef Kate Williams received even more national recognition this week for her work at Lady of the House. Food & Wine’s Jordana Rothman named her one of America’s Best New Chefs.
Polish pop-up
Forthcoming West Village Polish restaurant and bakery, Poppies, is launching a supper club series beginning on Thursday, May 24. Reservations can be made by calling 313-822-2729 or by emailing hello@rosesfinefoods.com.
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