Hockeytown Hangout Cobo Joe’s Shutters Downtown

Cobo Joe’s, a favorite hangout for Detroit Red Wings fans and visitors to Cobo Center, has closed permanently. The sports bar that served customers for 31 years at 422 W Congress Street near Cobo Center and Joe Louis Arena served it’s last drink on July 19 according to Delroy Thomas, a partner in the business with longtime owner Richard Cadreau.

Thomas, Cadreau, and a handful of friends were busy moving equipment out of the bar on Tuesday. The bar is currently looking to sell its gas powered Baker’s Pride Pizza oven.

Like many sports bars in the area on the southwest border of downtown, Cobo Joe’s relied heavily on the patronage of hockey fans who attended games at the Joe Louis Arena and struggled when the Red Wings relocated to the Little Caesars Arena more than a mile away in 2017.

The bar originally opened in 1987 under owners Joe and Judy Kosky, the Detroit Free Press reports. Cadreau took over the reigns at the business with a partner Rick Tressler in 2004. In January, Cadreau brought on Delroy Thomas to help with day-to-day operations while he prepared for retirement, according to the Detroit News. Thomas in turn made an effort to revamp the sports bar by adding Caribbean food and bringing in live music and DJs on the weekends. Cadreau tells the Free Press that he attempted unsuccessfully to sell the business over the past few months and as the end of his lease approached decided to close the business down.

[Courtesy photo]

The news follows word earlier this week that nearby watering hole Anchor Bar has sold to new owners.

• Legendary Sports Bar Cobo Joe’s Closes: ‘End of an Era for Detroit’ [Freep]
• Bars Plan for Overtime After Final Wings Season at Joe [Detroit News]
• Cobo Joe’s Adjusts to Life After Joe Louis Arena [Detroit News]
• All The Shutter Coverage [ED]