A new 'flower-focused' neighborhood bar is coming to Virginia Park

A new flower shop and neighborhood bar with a "flower-focused" beer and wine selection is in the works for a building in Detroit's Virginia Park neighborhood.

Laura Ludka is opening Garden Flora with husband Richard Ludka in a 3,000-square-foot former pottery manufacturing shop in a largely historic, residential area just north of New Center. The space, at 611 W. Philadelphia St., is a block off of Woodward and should be open in March.

Expect a selection of beer and wines, including a section devoted to those with floral notes and influences.

Among them will be Marz Brewing Company's Ruby's Tears, which is a gose with hibiscus; Revolution Brewing's Rosa, a summer ale with hibiscus; Smuttynose's Bloom, a Belgian saison with chamomile; Captain Lawrence Brewery's Hops N Roses, a golden ale brewed with several flower types; and Trinity Brewing's Three Flowers, which is a seasonal with three secret flowers.

Some of the wines with different floral influences will include the Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Yalumba Eden Valley Voignier, Brick House Gamay Noir, and Dr. Burklin-Wolf Estate Riesling Trocken.

Garden Flora's flower shop component will offer a limited selection of hand-tied bouquets largely made with in-season flowers. Those will be locally sourced, including some from the neighboring Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation's urban garden, which borders Garden Flora's property.

As of now, Garden Flora doesn't have definite food plans, but Laura Ludka says the space is large enough to fit a restaurant that could serve as a good lunch spot for people in the surrounding neighborhoods. They're currently looking for chefs or restaurateurs with ideas.

Ludka says they chose the location because they live nearby and there's a shortage of places where "people can congregate and hang out."

"If we were looking for it, then other people probably are, too," Ludka says. "When we purchased the building, we talked with community organizations nearby, and they've been supportive of having this."

She describes what they're envisioning for Garden Flora (which is the scientific term for all plants planted by humans) as a family friendly, welcoming, and warm bar.

It will also have a retail component with beer and wine, as well as the flower shop, so the space will be open during the day and evening, seven days per week.

You can find Garden Flora's Instagram page here.

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