After 50 Years, Dearborn’s Sign of the Beefcarver Abruptly Shutters

Metro Detroit’s Early American-themed restaurant chain Sign of the Beefcarver shuttered one of its last remaining locations in Dearborn on Monday after 50 years of business.

A manager told the Detroit Free Press that the restaurant, known for its fresh sliced roast beef and mashed potatoes, had experienced declining sales and that the owners had sold the building to a strip mall developer. It was unclear if employees, who were given less than 24 hours notice of the closure, would be offered jobs at the remaining location in Royal Oak. At least one local business owner has offered employees from the Sign of the Beefcarver new jobs at his restaurant chain, Famous Hamburger.

The location at 23100 Michigan Ave. originally opened in 1967 under the name Sign of the Beefeater. The chain later changed the name to Sign of the Beefcarver in 1979 due to a trademark dispute, according to the Dearborn Historical Museum.

The restaurant formally announced the closure today on its Facebook account, writing: “It is with a sad heart that we announce our Dearborn location has served its last meal. We would like to thank all the loyal customers we have had the pleasure of serving at our Dearborn restaurant.” The owners of Sign of the Beefcarver also confirmed that the remaining Royal Oak location will continue to operate. “We hope to see some familiar faces on Woodward Avenue.”

• Sign of the Beefcarver in Dearborn Closes [Freep]
• Business Offers Jobs to Former Sign of the Beefcarver Employees [Freep]
• All The Shutter Coverage [ED]