Disastrous Detroit Sushi Festival Issues Refunds to Angry Ticket Holders

Sushi festival promoters issue refunds

Last weekend the Motor City got its very own Fyre Festival. The Detroit Sushi Festival hosted at Eastern Market on Friday, August 24, drew a massive number of visitors paying $44 a ticket and it turned out to be a disaster. Customers left the event frustrated and angry after reportedly encountering long lines and very little food. The festival organizers Shamrock Events LLC quickly took down the Detroit Sushi Festival’s Facebook page after commenters posted more than 50 complaints, but it’s now back up and encouraging visitors to email detroitsushifest@gmail.com. Commenters on a separate events page called Detroit Sushi Fest Refund Festival now report receiving both full and 50 percent refunds on their tickets.

Brewery expansion in a formerly dry ‘burb

The town of Oak Park is trying to revive its dining scene by issuing liquor licenses and some businesses are biting. River Rouge Brewing in Royal Oak has announced plans to expand to a second location at 14401 W. 11 Mile Rd. in Oak Park. The brewery is expected to open next summer.

Restaurant owners prepare for possible minimum wage increase

Metro Detroit restaurant owners weighed-in this week on the possibility of a minimum wage increase that could land on the November ballot. The proposal seeks a gradual increase of the minimum wage to $12 by 2022 and an end to the tipped minimum wage by 2024. Chef James Rigato says that he would institute a ticketed tasting menu format at Mabel Gray if minimum wage increase were approved, while Townhouse and Prime + Proper owner Jeremy Sasson says the increase in wages might lead to increase prices on menu items, the institution of tablet ordering, or a service charge. Advocates for the minimum wage increases argue that the tipped minimum wage disportionately impacts people of color and women working in the restaurant industry and contributes to sexual harassment, discrimination, and poverty.

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