Latest news with #BobcatBonnie's
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beloved Michigan Restaurant Closes Overnight, Leaving Only 1 Remaining Location
Seeing a local restaurant close its doors is always a sad experience, but it's even worse when that restaurant closes with very little warning. But, the restaurant business is a competitive and fickle one. The food and drink industry that is familiar to most Americans, since according to the National Restaurant Association, 63 percent of adults have worked in the restaurant business. In 2022, the restaurant industry had 14.2 million employees and $472.4 billion in total labor income. According to B2 Reviews, in 2023, there were 749,000 restaurants across the United States, including fast food, casual dining and fine dining restaurants. With so many restaurant competing for the tastebuds of Americans, it's no wonder why it's a regular occurrence to see local spots close their doors. Now, one popular restaurant has abruptly closed its doors overnight, leaving only one local branch left standing, and the status that that location is in question, too. Bobcat Bonnie's at one time had several locations throughout Michigan, but on June 2, the restaurant announced via social media that they would be closing their Ferndale, MI, location overnight. The Ferndale spot had been open for seven years. "Coming to you with some bittersweet news — but after tomorrow (Monday) Bobcat Bonnie's Ferndale will be closed," the post stated. Bobcat Bonnie's also said that a new, "amazing" operator would be taking the restaurant's space and that Bobcat Bonnie's owners have told the staff and "are ensuring every single one is taken care of." "I am so lucky and so blessed to have been a part of such a great community," the post added. The closure leaves the Bobcat Bonnie's in Lansing, MI, the only remaining location, but the future of that establishment is in question, too. A report from WKZO notes that "all signs are pointing to" the spot closing, including "a notice on the door of the business" that says it has "lost its liquor license." On June 5, Bobcat Bonnie's Lansing wrote on Facebook, "We will have an update on operations today. We want to thank consumers for rushing to help us out, and our amazing landlords as well. "Beloved Michigan Restaurant Closes Overnight, Leaving Only 1 Remaining Location first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2025
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liquor license suspended at last Bobcat Bonnie's location
Bobcat Bonnie's has a new issue with its final location revolving around Michigan's Liquor Control Commission. The location in Lansing has had its liquor license suspended by the commission and appears to be closed. In Lansing at 637 E. Michigan Ave., an orange sign posted on the door reads 'The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has suspended the license of this establishment,' according to a photo on social media. The location appears to be closed, as calls to the restaurant were met with a busy signal. David Marvin, a spokesman for Michigan's Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) told the Free Press Bobcat's Bonnie's liquor license in Lansing was suspended for 'dishonored payments for spirits purchases.' 'We delivered spirits, and they initiated an ETF payment that was returned,' Marvin Michigan, establishments are required to buy spirits from the commission. Marvin said Bobcat Bonnie's owes for two separate purchases: One for $621.93 and another for $ MLCC also fined Bobcat Bonnie's $450 for the violations. Marvin told the Lansing State Journal that the fines were issued "months ago." Bobcat Bonnie's owners had 45 days to pay them, the Lansing State Journal reported. Marvin said the deadline for paying them expired on June 3. "We did give them a little bit of extra time as we do with everyone," Marvin told the Lansing State Journal. "We reach out to folks when there are payments due. We don't want to suspend somebody if we don't have to." The Free Press reached out to Bobcat Bonnie's owner, Matt Buskard, via Facebook message, who responded with no comment to the suspended Lansing liquor license. More: Oak Park has been establishing its culinary identity in recent years: 12 places to eat Bobcat Bonnie's opened the Lansing location in January 2024. The space was the former Clara's Lansing Station, which closed its doors nearly 10 years ago. It was just last week that, after seven years in Ferndale, Bobcat Bonnie's owners announced that the location would shutter with no reason given. The Ferndale restaurant was to close after service on June 2, leaving only Bobcat Bonnie's in Lansing remaining. Fixtures, glassware, artwork and furniture at the Ferndale location were being sold. At one time, Bobcat Bonnie's had seven March, after 10 years, Bobcat Bonnie's Corktown location — its first — shuttered abruptly. A Wyandotte location closed in January and offered the same type of sale of restaurant furnishings as Ferndale. Buskard has taken to social media the last several months, expressing in lengthy posts the challenges and struggles the restaurant industry has endured, including the pandemic and a tough business climate with a downward trend in sales. At one time, Bobcat Bonnie's had locations in Clinton Township at the Mall at Partridge Creek, which abruptly shuttered last August. Its Ypsilanti location closed a few months later. The Grand Rapids location is temporarily closed and was expected to move to another location, though the status is unclear, and the location is still listed on the website. A location in Toledo, Ohio, was also planned but never opened. More: Dutch Girl Donuts and the Schvitz owner buys iconic Detroit German restaurant Buskard's portfolio of restaurants at one time also included the Fly Trap in Ferndale, which he acquired in February 2022, but transferred ownership back to the original owners. Last August, Buskard opened Scout Vester in the former M Brew spot in Ferndale, but closed it four months later. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bobcat Bonnie's Lansing liquor license suspended: Here's why
Eater
03-06-2025
- Business
- Eater
7 Recent Metro Detroit Restaurant Shutters to Know
The once mighty Bobcat Bonnie's has only one location left. At one point, the chain operated seven locations. Meanwhile, a food truck known for its bulgogi cheesesteaks won't be out and about this summer. Belly It's owners have called it quits. Read about those two shutters and more below. The Shutter , a regular roundup of Detroit and metro Detroit's restaurant closures, is your resource to find out what's on its way out . The list is by no means comprehensive. Have information on another closing? Send all tips to detroit@ . ANN ARBOR — In Ann Arbor, Red Hawk Bar & Grill, which lasted over three decades, closed on May 2. An Instagram post blamed rising food costs and the scars left by the pandemic. The restaurant, 316 S. State Street, had been around for 33 years. AROUND TOWN — Fans of bulogi cheesesteaks mourned the loss of the Belly It food truck earlier this year. An Instagram post announced the shutter, with the owner admitting that summers in the truck were exhausting and that they just wanted to enjoy the season. DOWNTOWN — Coffee Down Under has closed after four years in downtown Detroit, according to a Facebook post. The shop struggled and was barely surviving with only one worker at 607 Shelby Street. BLOOMFIELD HILLS — After a quarter century around Detroit, the last Little Daddy's Family Restaurant has closed at 39500 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, according to a Facebook post. The Greek diner's original location closed in September 2023 in Southfield, and there were outposts in Royal Oak and Taylor. CLAWSON — Zeoli's Modern Italian, which had been around for nearly seven years, closed on March 14 at 110 East 14 Mile Road. The Detroit News reports the chef wants to remain in the industry. FERNDALE — The Ferndale location of Bobcat Bonnie's closed on Monday, June 3, at 240 W. Nine Mile Road. The chain now has only one remaining location, in Lansing. A Facebook post teased that an unnamed tenant is already lined up. At one point, the chain had seven locations. Last year, the gastropub chain faced allegations of not paying its workers. LIVONIA — Bahama Breeze, one of the many restaurants in the Darden empire, has closed its Livonia location at 19600 Haggerty, according to the Detroit News . The chain has seen several shutters in recent months, including a Troy outpost. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bobcat Bonnie's Ferndale closing Monday
The Brief Bobcat Bonnie's in Ferndale is closing after Monday. This closure comes after the original Bobcat Bonnie's location in Detroit's Corktown closed in March. The local chain will have one location left in Lansing. FERNDALE, Mich. (FOX 2) - Bobcat Bonnie's Ferndale, the last Metro Detroit restaurant that remained of the local chain, is closing for good Monday. The restaurant, known for its brunch bloody Mary and mimosa bars, announced Sunday night that there would be one last day of service before the doors close. "Thank you Ferndale for truly changing so many of our lives. And thank you for changing mine- and building my confidence to be myself without wavering. It is so empowering to live in this community," owner Matthew Buskard wrote on Facebook. Bobcat Bonnie's will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, or until the restaurant sells out, with drinks for only $5. Then, a liquidation sale will begin Tuesday. After Monday, only one Bobcat location remains - Lansing. It appears the Grand Rapids location, which has been in the process of moving, will not reopen. Dig deeper This closure comes after the original Bobcat Bonnie's location in Detroit's Corktown closed in March. The flagship closure also followed the closure of Bobcat's Partridge Creek, Ypsilanti, and Wyandotte locations. Bobcat Bonnie's Ypsilanti closed shortly after a group of several employees made allegations of bounced pay checks, and inconsistent scheduling. They called for a picket as they sought better working conditions, but canceled this picket after reaching an agreement with the owner. Ferndale's closure comes after the eatery reached out on social media last week, seeking a partnership to help bring change to the restaurant chain. "We would ideally like to find a partner who can come in, help us stabilize operations, allow us to handle what we are good at (in unit operations, customer service, building the business, getting our quality back, etc.) and they can handle all the financial stuff and bookkeeping (something we have always struggled at.)," Buskard wrote on social media. What's next In the post announcing the closure, Buskard wrote that another restaurant operator will be taking over the space. It is unclear when this will happen. The Source Previous FOX 2 stories and social media posts from Bobcat Bonnie's were used in this report.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bobcat Bonnie's Ferndale location to close, leaving only 1 remaining
After seven years in Ferndale, the Bobcat Bonnie's location will shutter. Ferndale will close after service on June 2 according to a Facebook post made the night before. The closure leaves the Bobcat Bonnie's in Lansing as the only remaining location. A reason for the closure was not given. Bobcat Bonnie's at one time had seven locations. 'Coming to you with some bittersweet news — but after tomorrow (Monday) Bobcat Bonnie's Ferndale will be closed,' the post said. Though not named, according to the post a new 'amazing' operator is expected to take over the space on W. 9 Mile. Bobcat Bonnie's owners have told the staff and wrote 'we are ensuring every single one is taken care of.' The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and will remain open until 10 p.m. or until they sell out of food and drink. On Monday, restaurant operations will run differently: drinks such as beers are $5 and food is at normal prices. The restaurant is asking patrons to pay in cash, though its payment system will be available. On June 3, the restaurant will open and start selling its tables, chairs, art, glassware, plates and outdoor furniture. Rooftop: These 15 metro Detroit bars and restaurants offer patios with spectacular views The closure comes on the heels of celebrating Pride 2025 in Ferndale, with Bobcat Bonnie's hosting several events over the weekend. It's also after a Bobcat Bonnie's May 27 Facebook post seeking help, looking for a financial partner to 'stabilize operations.' 'After Corktown wink- Ferndale is one of the best neighborhoods in the Detroit area. We are so lucky to have been a part of it,' the post read. The post thanked its staff and the Ferndale community. In March, after 10 years, Bobcat Bonnie's Corktown location — its first — shuttered abruptly. The Wyandotte location closed in January, and offered the same type of sale of restaurants furnishings. Bobcat Bonnie's owner, Matt Buskard, has taken to social media expressing in lengthy posts the challenges and struggles the restaurant industry has endured, including the pandemic and a tough business climate with a downward trend in sales. At one time, Bobcat Bonnie's had locations in Clinton Township at the Mall at Partridge Creek, which abruptly shuttered last August. Its Ypsilanti location closed a few months later. The Grand Rapids location is temporarily closed and was expected to move to another location, though the status is unclear and the location is still listed on the website. A location in Toledo, Ohio was also planned but did not open. Buskard's portfolio of restaurants at one time also included the Fly Trap in Ferndale, which he acquired in February 2022, but recently transferred ownership back to the original owners. Last August, Buskard opened Scout Vester in the former M Brew spot in Ferndale, but closed it four months later. Messages sent to Buskard Monday morning were not returned. This is a developing story. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bobcat Bonnie's in Ferndale to close June 2, leaving just 1 remaining
