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What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Sunda New Asian to Open in Detroit in 2025 | What Now Detroit

According to a news release, Sunda New Asian is set to open in The District Detroit at 33 W. Columbia Street. A phenomenon concept by Emmy award-winning TV personality, actor and restaurateur Billy Dec, Sunda New Asian has recently opened two new locations in Chicago’s Fulton Market and Tampa, FL.

“Just as we identified Nashville as a growing market to explode 10 years ago, Tampa 4 years ago, we are confident Detroit is about to go on an outstanding growth run the world won’t see coming and Sun
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

New Microbrewery and Taproom Planned for Troy | What Now Detroit

We’ve heard of wine and cheese, but what about beer and charcuterie? Stumblebum Beer Co., a new microbrewery planned in Troy, MI is combining the two popular items in one place. Located at 1965 W Maple Rd, the microbrewery is anticipated to open later in the spring.

The business shared a post on Friday, April 26th, teasing with a photo of the proprietor and brewer Eli Green: “Exciting things happening back in the brewhouse! Getting ready to welcome you all into our doors,” although the post did
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Aria Restaurant to Open in a Vacant Space in West Bloomfield | What Now Detroit

The West Bloomfield Planning Commission reviewed the designs for a new restaurant called Aria on March 24. Aria Restaurant will occupy the former Sposita’s Ristorante space at 33210 W 14 Mile Road inside Simsbury Plaza.

Application materials show the restaurant is operated by Robert Lulgjuraj. Lulgjuraj has a profound hospitality industry track record as Operating Manager at Ciao Amici’ Restaurant in Brighton, MI. Aria Restaurant tentatively operates from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, according
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

New Owners to Bring Comfort Food Back to Ottawa Beach Inn in Holland | What Now Detroit

A new restaurant is moving in to replace Playa Tacos and Tequila on Ottawa Beach Rd after the previous restaurant was listed for sale a few months ago. This news was first seen on Holland Sentinel.

The incoming restaurant, Reservoir, will feature an Italian-inspired comfort food menu, including seafood and pizza. The menu will also have vegan and vegetarian options. According to the Sentinel article, Reservoir will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as late-night options.

Those famili
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Popular Korean Corn Dog Chain to Open in The Village of Rochester Hills this Fall | What Now Detroit

In addition to The Jackson, The Village of Rochester Hills recently confirmed another food tenant. Two Hands Fresh Corn Dogs, a franchise chain serving Korean corn dogs, boba tea, and sides, will open in The Village this fall. Several outlets reported this news.

Local franchisee Sarah Yi is the incoming operator for the Rochester Hills location. Yi is also working on another location in Oakland County in West Bloomfield, as reported by What Now Detroit. Yi confirmed with What Now Detroit via em
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Chocolate Chipped Bakery to Open First Storefront this Early Summer in Downton Farmington | What Now Detroit

Chocolate Chipped Bakery, a beloved bakeshop with only an e-commerce store thus far, is working on its first brick-and-mortar bakery in downtown Farmington. The business plans to occupy the former Big Salad location at 23342 Farmington Road in the next few months. This news was first seen on Hometown Life.

Farmington residents Mary and David O’Connor, a husband-and-wife team, are the geniuses behind Chocolate Chipped Bakery’s delicious cookies and treats. According to the Hometown Life coverage
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Software Engineer to Open LGBTQ+ Bar in Ann Arbor | What Now Detroit

A new business is quietly in the works to fill in the blanks for Ann Arbor, where safe spaces for the queer communities are in scarcity. A new LGBTQ+ bar called Uplift plans to open later this summer, taking over the former Millennium Club space at 210 S. First St. This news was first seen on MLive Ann Arbor.

Co-founder Saharsh Hajela and a silent partner have been working diligently on the concept over the past year. “I feel it’s very apparent the void that exists for a full-time dedicated que
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Chicken Finger QSR Chain to Join Vic Village South as Anchor Tenant | What Now Detroit

Raising Cane’s will open its second Michigan location, joining Vic Village South as the anchor tenant. This news was first seen on MLive Ann Arbor. The deal was secured with the help of Colliers International Ann Arbor, a commercial real estate group. The leasing agent facilitating the deal was Jim Chaconas.

“We are grateful for our partnership with the owner of Vic Village South, through which we successfully collaborated to secure Raising Cane’s as an anchor tenant,” quoted the MLive coverage
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Two Hands Fresh Corn Dogs to Open in West Bloomfield | What Now Detroit

A popular franchise featuring Korean Corn Dogs is coming to West Bloomfield. Two Hands Fresh Corn Dog is working on a location at 6695 Orchard Lake. Restaurant plans were submitted and reviewed by the West Bloomfield Planning Commission in late March.

Operated by local franchisee Sarah Yi, who also owns New Seoul Plaza, the West Bloomfield location is anticipated to open in June 2024 and will be the franchisee’s second Oakland County location. The store will be diagonally across the street from
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

An Ypsilanti Bakery is Working on its First Brick and Mortar Location | What Now Detroit

The vacant space from Go! Ice Cream, which closed in Ypsilanti last October, will soon have a new owner. According to an MLive article, Beara Bakes will take over the storefront at 10 N. Washington St. this summer. The bakery sells pastries and baked goods made from scratch.

Founded by Cat Spencer, the bakery started in the summer of 2020. However, the concept gained so much popularity that it soon started doing pop-up events and wholesales at local coffee shops. An incubator kitchen at Growing
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

A Royal Oak Burger Staple is Expanding to St. Clair Shores | What Now Detroit

Royal Oak locals have all seen the astronaut mural on an alley off South Main Street. With its iconic pink bar stools, black-and-white checkered tile floors, and cosmic-painted ceilings, Comet Burgers is a phenomenon. And it looks like the stars have aligned for this iconic burger joint as the owners recently signed a lease to open a second location in St. Clair Shores.

The business appears to have signed a lease for the space at 24101 Harper Ave. The space was previously occupied by a Checkers
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Pretzel Bell in Ann Arbor is Working on a Rooftop Expansion | What Now Detroit

According to the Michigander newsletter, some major changes are on their way to Pretzel Bell, the resurrected Ann Arbor restaurant at 226 S Main St. The Ann Arbor Historic District Commission (HDC) reviewed and approved plans for a proposed rooftop expansion on April 11, 2024.

According to the design narrative, the project will create “a rooftop dining area, enclosed with planters to provide a buffer between the diners and the roof parapet.” The new rooftop will have its own kitchen and bar whi
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Long-Approved Wilders Bistro is Under Construction | What Now Detroit

According to the Birmingham Planning Commission records, Wilders Bistro at 460 N. Old Woodward is currently under construction. The project was approved back in June 2022, but multiple setbacks were encountered. What Now Detroit spoke with Samy Eid, the restaurateur behind the concept. Eid confirmed that the project is still under development but refused to provide any additional comment.

Based in Birmingham, Eid serves up Middle Eastern delicacies at his South Old Woodward restaurant Phoenicia
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Another Foxtail Coffee is in the Works in Ada | What Now Detroit

In addition to the downtown Holland location, Baton Collective is working on another Foxtail Coffee location in its homebase, Ada. The Ada location, inside a newly constructed building at 7366 River Street SE, Suite 101, is anticipated to open in May.

According to applications and plans submitted to Ada’s Downtown Development Authority, the Ada location is operated by Baton Collective’s subsidiary company, Michigan Coffee Crew – Ada A6, LLC. The project applicant is Loren Crandell, president an
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Foxtail Coffee to Replace Ferris Coffee in Downtown Holland | What Now Detroit

A beloved coffee shop in Holland closed its doors in late February. Fortunately, the community won’t be out of coffee for too long, as a new coffee shop has plans to take over the vacant space. Foxtail Coffee Co, a Florida-based franchise, will take over the former Ferris Coffee space in downtown Holland at 57 E 8th St. This news was first seen in Holland Sentinel.

The Holland Foxtail Coffee is operated by Ada-based Baton Collective, an affiliate to the Grand Rapids-based RDV Corporation.

The
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7 Brew Coffee Anticipates to Open in Holland and Muskegon this Summer | What Now Detroit

7 Brew Coffee, a rapidly growing brand in the South is entering the West Michigan market with two locations opening soon in Holland and Muskegon. The brand began to work on both locations last December and Holland Sentinel reported the Holland location’s construction was near completion in mid-February. However, some delays have postponed the opening to late this summer.

Both Holland and Muskegon locations are opened by 7 Brew’s multi-unit franchisee, NL Coffee. The Holland 7 Brew replaces the
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Vigilante Kitchen to Rebrand and Reopen by the End of the Month under New Partnership | What Now Detroit

Vigilante Kitchen + Bar, a unique concept focusing on supporting sobriety and combating addiction, has changed owner and temporarily closed to undergo a rebrand. The Detroit concept, located at 644 Selden St, was originally created by Chef Aaron Cozadd in collaboration with Mission Restaurant Group. After a successful run, the restaurant is now ready for its next stage, including a change of ownership, a complete rebrand, some interior updates, and a menu overhaul.

The news of Vigilante Kitchen
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Popular Detroit East African Restaurant Baobab Fare Purchases Second Location | What Now Detroit

According to a Crains Detroit coverage, Baobab Fare has recently closed the purchase for its second location. The new property, located inside Detroit’s East English Village neighborhood at 16900 E. Warren Ave, is a 68-year-old historic building and is about 1,000 square feet larger than the restaurant’s existing location at 6568 Woodward Ave. The property was purchased from the city at $145,000.

Baobab Fare was established by the husband-and-wife team of Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere. The
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

A new Black-owned Cafe is Planned at The Residences at Water Square | What Now Detroit

A Black-owned, women-owned cafe is working on its second location at Residences at Water Square. According to a press release, Detroit Rosa is working on a secondary concept called Rosa Café + Market at 222 3rd Ave, inside The Residences at Water Square. The news was first reported by Crains Detroit. The new store is anticipated in Summer 2024.

The new boutique cafe and market concept will be located in the apartment complex’s main lobby, covering over 800 square feet. The interiors will featur
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

Veg-N to Move into Meridian Mall Food Court Soon | What Now Detroit

Veg-N, a vegan restaurant previously based at East Cesar Chavez Avenue near Old Town Okemos, announced they would be moving to “the old Italian spot in the Meridian Mall Food Court” on Facebook. The news was first reported by Lansing State Journal. The Meridian Mall location is expected to open this May.

Owned and operated by Jonathan Ristola and Christabelle Dozeman, Veg-N offers “plant based American classics.” The vegan quick-service restaurant focuses on using fresh ingredients and consciou
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

A New Spanish Restaurant with a Fire-Driven Menu is in the Works | What Now Detroit

A new Spanish restaurant is quietly in the works at 2720 Brush St. A new concept by the creative minds behind the popular eatery Shelby, Leña is anticipated to open in the early spring of 2024, according to a social media post.

Created by Chef Mike Conrad and Chef de Cuisine Matt Tulpa, Leña is the Spanish word for firewood. The restaurant will feature a Spanish-inspired, including a wide variety of pintxos, tapas and shared plates. “At Leña, our open fire isn’t just for show—it’s where culinar
What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News •

A New Restaurant will Open to the Public in Greenfield Village on May 1 | What Now Detroit

Originally reported by DBusiness, Greenfield Village in Dearborn will reveal its latest restaurant concept on May 1. The new concept, Stand 44, pays tribute to the stall where celebrated local huckster Mary Judge sold her goods in Detroit Central Market back in the day and is tailored to resonate with Henry Ford’s Edible Education programs.

The restaurant will have multiple stations offering different food options, including pizza, sandwiches, and salads using locally and regionally sourced ing
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Black Pearl in Ann Arbor is Expanding into the Space Next Door | What Now Detroit

According to the story initially reported by MLive, Black Pearl, a beloved seafood restaurant and martini bar in downtown Ann Arbor, is expanding into the space next door. The restaurant hopes to open its doors in the new space by this fall or early winter.

The vacant space at 300 S. Main St. previously belonged to a Starbucks, which closed in late October last year. Black Pearl signed the lease for the space in February and is currently working on getting permits to make changes to the space,
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