clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

6 Recent Detroit Restaurant and Bar Closings to Know

Tracking the metro Detroit shutters for 2020

Communal tables facing two of the restaurant stalls at Fort Street Galley.
Fort Street Galley closed on Friday, February 28.
Michelle and Chris Gerard
Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Welcome to The Shutter, a regularly updated roundup of Detroit and metro Detroit’s restaurant closures. Have information on another closing? Send all tips to detroit@eater.com.


March 2

EASTERN MARKET — After 45 years of business, Eastern Market Seafood Co. served its last Old World Sandwiches on Saturday, February 29. The owners sold the building last year to developer Firm Real Estate, which plans to transform the space into a similar seafood store, possibly with a restaurant and a food processing facility on the second floor.

CORKTOWN — Trailblazer Gold Cash Gold closed its doors on Sunday, February 2. The restaurant was facing financial challenges due to increased competition, a lack of weeknight foot traffic, and other factors.

DOWNTOWN — Beleaguered food hall chain Galley Group shuttered its Detroit and Ohio City locations on Friday, February 28. Fort Street Galley’s had a challenging and brief history downtown. It opened with four promising restaurants. While the founders billed Galley as an incubator, operators suggested that the 30 percent take on restaurant profits made it difficult to make ends meet.

CASS CORRIDOR — Poke Burri bailed on Detroit after less than two months of business. Co-founder Seven Chang told Eater the group had a parting of ways with its local franchisee.

FERNDALE — Greenspace Cafe closed permanently on Saturday, February 1 after four years serving vegan food in Ferndale. The restaurant’s sister cafe Greenspace To-Go is still open.

METRO DETROIT — The El Guapo Grill food truck announced that it is closing as it undergoes a change of ownership. “We can offer no further information at this time,” the truck operator wrote in a statement on Twitter. “Our sincerest thanks to our hardworking staff and loyal customers.”


January 31

BRICKTOWN — LGBTQ-friendly sports bar Briggs Detroit folded in December. The bar, which originally opened at the corner of Beaubien Street and East Jefferson Avenue in November 2015, is currently vacant and its liquor license has been returned to the state. Over the years, the laid-back pub was known for its rooftop lounge and events such as the annual Santa Speedo Run.

ROYAL OAK — French restaurant Bistro 82 bid farewell to downtown Royal Oak on Saturday, January 25, just short of its six-year anniversary. AFB Hospitality, which owned the restaurant, stated that it planned to focus on growing the Morrie’s brand.

EASTERN MARKET — Mike’s Coney Island, an Eastern tenant of controversial landlord Firm Real Estate, has closed its doors permanently. The restaurant resides in a building that Firm earmarked for demolition last summer, prompting members of the community to call for Eastern Market to become a historic district. Mike’s officially closed on Tuesday, December 31. The owner intends to open a new supply store nearby on Russell Street selling items like cleaning supplies and limited groceries.

DOWNTOWN — Sandwich chain Which Which shuttered its downtown Detroit location on Christmas Eve.

ANN ARBOR — Both locations of Ann Arbor restaurant group Elevation Burger abruptly closed in January after nearly 5 years of business.

All Closings Coverage [ED]