In June, a few long-time metro Detroit restaurants announced closures, reorganizing efforts or establishments for sale. Reasons varied, from some planned remodeling to making way for another business to how the physical tolls of the business are impacting the owner. And while some of the closings were announced in May, the actual and official closing came in June.
Here’s a sampling of places that closed, announced closures, or are pending sales.
Apple Annie’s Kitchen & Bakery
After 28 years in business, Apple Annie’s Kitchen & Bakery in Roseville announced the longtime Roseville restaurant would close. Apple Annie’s closed its doors at 4:30 p.m. on June 15, according to a Facebook post. “Our hearts are filled with gratitude, memories, and a love that will last our lifetime,” the owners wrote. The closure comes as Apple Annie’s, as well as the nearby Sacred Heart Church and other structures, are to be demolished to make way for a Sheetz gas station/convenience store.
Cadillac Straits Brewing
Cadillac Straits Brewing Co. in Madison Heights is permanently closing July 18, citing “market conditions.” In Madison Heights for seven years, closing is Cadillac Straits Brewing Co. and The Supply House at Cadillac Straits, with the owners stating that “continuing operations is no longer sustainable. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t make it work,” according to a Facebook post. A farewell party is in the works for July 18, its 7th anniversary. In a follow-up post, the owners mentioned that “if anyone was actually interested and serious in buying the business, I imagine it’d cost you a lot less than you think.” Noting that the brewhouse is turnkey, it said that’s a “long shot” and that they’d start selling equipment in a few weeks.
Coral Gables
The owners of Coral Gables, an East Lansing staple for 100 years under two different generations of owners, announced the “difficult decision” to close the establishment’s doors via Facebook on Tuesday, June 2.
Owners Anastasia Kimbouris and Stuart Vanis also announced in the post that the last day of service will be on Tuesday, June 30.
“To all who have considered The Gables their home away from home — a place for family gatherings, meetings, celebrations, or simply a familiar spot to find friends — we extend our deepest gratitude for your loyalty and support. Serving you has been an honor, and we will sincerely miss the daily connections that have meant so much to us,” the post reads.
Throughout the years, Coral Gables served the community as a roadhouse, fancy restaurant and dance hall where Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, The Four Freshman and The Ink Spots performed. The establishment also employed Malcom X who waited tables.
This update includes reporting from Rachel Greco of the Lansing State Journal.
Farmington Brewing Co.
Jason Schlaff, the owner of Farmington Brewing Co. has put the business up for sale and looking for a successor. In a June 23 Facebook post, Schlaff wrote that the physical portion of the job has taken its toll. “Over twelve years of slinging 50-pound grain bags, moving 165-pound half-barrel kegs, and handling the intense manual labor of daily production has caught up with me,” the post reads. “I am currently navigating some ongoing spinal and orthopedic health concerns that mean, for my own longevity and family, I must step away.”
Rosa Cafe + Market
Charity Dean, owner of Rosa Coffee, is shutting down two of her establishments and consolidating into a third.
Dean’s Rosa Watersquare, a café and market at the Residences at Water Square – the former site of Joe Louis Arena – and Detroit Rosa on Grand River in Grandmont Rosedale Park both closed Saturday, June 20. Her Rosa Campus Cafe on the campus of Wayne State will remain open.
The two previous establishments will combine into one, sharing space with Jay Williams’s Miss Eva’s Detroit, a speakeasy located at 19566 Grand River. Housing both businesses, the place will become Rosa’s with daytime coffee and Miss Eva’s continuing as a speakeasy and lounge.
Wheat & Rye Bar & Grill, Romulus
A restaurant known for its generous portions, located minutes away from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, quietly shut its doors in mid-May.
Wheat & Rye Bar & Grill owner Martin DaRonco confirmed the closure of the Romulus location to the Free Press on June 8 but added that he expects to reopen in the coming months.
“Business was getting a little slower, so we figured we needed a facelift and refreshed menu,” DaRonco said. “We plan on remodeling and reopening before football season. That is the plan.”
Wheat & Rye has two other locations in Southgate and Allen Park. The Allen Park location opened in 1981 and is the longest standing venue.
Wright & Co.
Wright & Co, a second-floor eatery located at 1500 Woodward Ave., will serve its last meal on Friday, July 3 after 12 years of service, according to an Instagram post.
“For more than a decade, you’ve made us part of your first dates, anniversaries, celebrations, late-night cocktails, and countless unforgettable evenings. What started as a restaurant became a gathering place, and that’s because of the people who walked through our doors,” reads the post.
Wright & Co. is known for its seasonal menu and shared plates concept. It also offers one of the best views of Woodward Avenue through its oversized windows.
While the establishment will no longer serve dinner, it will host private events, celebrations and special gatherings, according to the post, though no other details were provided at the time of the initial report.
Wright & Co. landed on the first Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 Best New Restaurants list. It was also the first restaurant that kicked off the Detroit Free Press/Chevy Detroit popular Top 10 Takeover dining series, now in its 12th year.
UFO Bar/Spot Lite
Roula David and Jesse Cory, owners of UFO Bar and Spot Lite, announced via social media they will close both venues at the end of June.
Spot Lite, a music venue, art gallery, bar and record store, located at 2905 Beaufait St., will close at the end of the day on Sunday, June 28. UFO Bar, 2110 Trumbull, will shut down Tuesday, June 30.
“After a lot of thought and consideration, we have decided to close this chapter in our lives and move away from nightlife,” according to the post on Instagram and Facebook.
Spot Lite also houses Cairo Coffee, which will relocate inside 27th Letter Books on Michigan Avenue beginning July 8.
David purchased UFO Factory in 2024. Following its closure on June 30, a new record store and cocktail bar called Detroit Vinyl Bar will take its place.
This update includes reporting from Natalie Davies.
Eric Guzmán covers youth sports culture at the Free Press as a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support this work.
Contact Eric Guzmán: eguzman@freepress.com; 313-222-1850.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: These Michigan restaurants are closing, up for sale or reorganizing
Reporting by Eric Guzmán and Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Eric Guzmán and Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
