These Detroit-area eateries have closed in 2023

By Layla McMurtrie on Thu, Jul 13, 2023 at 8:00 am

Low sales, retirement, lingering effects of COVID-19, and scandal are reasons these local restaurants’ stories have ended. Others are a mystery.

Losing a familiar local eatery can be sad whether in the community for generations or quickly opened and closed.

In 2022, many Detroit area restaurants closed their doors. Here are 25 that have said goodbye to us in 2023. Luckily, a few are only temporary.

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Facebook, Norma G's

Norma G's

14628 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit

Sadly, this eastside Caribbean spot announced in September that it was closing after five years, wiht no reason given for the closure. The restaurant's chef Lester Gouvia says he isn't done cooking though, and to stay up to date on events and pop-ups on Norma G's Facebook page. Whether you liked the Trini tacos, jerk chicken, or another dish, there may be hope for you to still get the food you loved again.

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Courtesy photo

Star Bakery

26031 Coolidge Hwy., Oak Park

After generations of providing the community with Jewish goods such as challah and Mandel bread, this old-school bakery shut its doors in July, stating the decision was made due to rising costs and leftover hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Steve Neavling

Smith & Co.

644 Selden St., Detroit

The New-American brew pub officially closed on June 4 and has now become Vigilante Kitchen, a fusion restaurant focusing on addiction support.

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Facebook, Lost River

Lost River

15421 Mack Ave., Detroit

In March, this tropical tiki bar on Detroit’s eastside announced that it was temporarily closing, hosting its final weekend on June 16-18. In late November, film-focused wine bar The Fourth Wall opened in its former space. Lost River is hosting some pop-ups with the new business and in search of a new, smaller space of their own, so fans of the tiki bar hopefully won't have to miss it much longer.

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Layla McMurtrie

Angelo’s Restaurant

1100 Catherine St., Ann Arbor

After 57 years in business, this Ann Arbor breakfast spot was sold to the University of Michigan and will host its final day on Dec. 23.

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Courtesy of Bandit Tavern & Hideaway

Jolly Pumpkin in Royal Oak

419 S. Main St., Royal Oak

At the end of October, Royal Oak’s Jolly Pumpkin announced that the location would be closing after five years. The spot has now been rebranded as Bandit Tavern & Hideaway. Jolly Pumpkin still runs six locations across the state.

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Jacob Lewkow

Rose’s Fine Food and Wine

10551 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit

This spot was first for sale in September 2022, but then the owner changed her mind and decided to stay open. In April, the Eastside diner’s time actually came to an end after nine years in business.

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Facebook, Lile's Sandwich Shop

Lile’s Sandwich Shop

13800 Michigan Ave., Dearborn

As Harry Lile retired, so did his sandwich shop. On June 30, many devoted customers took to Facebook to commemorate their last day eating a Lile’s sandwich.

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Courtesy of Ally Lee

Orchid Thai

115 Monroe St., Detroit

With owner Ally Lee ready to retire, this downtown restaurant had its last day on Feb. 28 following 18 years of serving the community.

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Facebook

Cross Street Coffee

317 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti

While this long-time Ypsi coffee shop is technically still open, the new owners changed the name and the ambiance of the place, which many locals aren't too happy about. What was once Cross Street Coffee is now Northern Grind. Smoothies and some other new options were added to the updated menu, but the vibes are definitely different.

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Courtesy of Saucy Brew Works

Saucy Brew Works

2671 John R St., Detroit

Launching a line of cannabis products in Michigan was not enough to keep this Cleveland-based brewery’s Detroit location afloat. Making its way to the area in 2021, Saucy Brew Works closed its Detroit location on June 1.

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Founder's/Facebook

Founders Brewing Co.

456 Charlotte St., Detroit

This Detroit taproom said in May that their close was due to low sales. The announcement was abruptly made after a racial discrimination complaint (which was not the first for the brewery).

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Kelley O'Neill

Louisiana Creole Gumbo

2051 Gratiot Ave., Detroit

This little spot in Eastern Market was in business since 1970, and just shut its doors in November. Don't worry though, the restaurant will be open again in the spring of 2024 with a larger sit-down location just down the road. The new space will have a liquor license and two outdoor patios.

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Instagram, @otus_supply

Otus Supply

345 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale

On Feb. 27, this New American eatery and music venue took to Instagram to announce: “Effective immediately we will be closing our doors to our wonderful establishment.” It had faced mounting money problems in recent years.

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Instagram, @bikes.and.coffee

Bikes & Coffee

1521 Putnam St., Detroit

“The pandemic, rising rent, and the cost of everything else isn’t the death of us but it does put us in a tight spot, one we can’t afford right now,” said an Instagram post from this Woodbridge cafe on May 7. Sadly, Bikes and Coffee closed its doors a week later.

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Randiah Camille Green

Saffron de Twah

7636 Gratiot Ave., Detroit

Shortly after chef Omar Anani competed on Food Network's "Chopped" in July, he announced that his Moroccan restaurant would be temporarily closing for six months. Fortunately, that should mean that it will reopen in early 2024.

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Facebook, PizzaPlex

PizzaPlex

4458 Vernor Hwy., Detroit

This Southwest Detroit Neapolitan-style pizzeria closed on February 27, celebrating its seven years with a final party.

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Facebook, Archies Restaurant

Archies Restaurant

30471 Plymouth Rd., Livonia

After 42 years of business, this Livonia restaurant closed on June 10, giving all sales from the final service to the restaurant’s employees and posting a thank you on Facebook to everyone who stuck with them through the end.

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Shutterstock

Starbucks in Midtown

3760 Woodward Ave., Detroit

This Starbucks location at Woodward and Mack closed in February due to safety concerns including “theft and threats of physical violence,” the Detroit News reported. Luckily, there are many local coffee shops to support a short walk away.

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Facebook, Steve & Rocky’s

Steve & Rocky’s

43150 Grand River Ave., Novi

This Novi restaurant was sold in March by owner Steve Allen after 25 years in business. Now, Brentwood Grille resides in its place, owned by Steve & Rocky’s longtime general manager Bob Loomis.

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