Visions for Vacancies: Dimitris Restaurant Closes – What's Next?
While hoping for redevelopment, the Farmington DDA is also looking for a 'destination restaurant' operator to take over the building.
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Dimitris Restaurant in downtown Farmington closed last week, but will another restaurant take its place?
The Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced Friday that it now owns the property at 33200 Grand River Ave., and while officials eventually want to see redevelopment that fits with the Downtown Master Plan, they are also looking for an operator who would open a "destination restaurant" there.
DDA director Annette Knowles said it would be "ideal if both these goals could be wrapped into one exceptional project." Board president Bob Rock added the DDA board does not intend to hold onto the restaurant building.
“We wish to move forward with securing a new opportunity that will contribute to the downtown in a positive way," he said.
The next step is separating the property into two parcels, so the DDA can keep the parking, while selling the front portion for a restaurant space and/or a redevelopment project.
The City of Farmington financed the $430,000 purchase with a two-year loan.
What kind of "destination restaurant" would you like to see move in to the former Dimitris space? Tell us in the comments below.
In This article
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Farmington Downtown Development Authority
33316 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI -
City of Farmington Municipal Offices
23600 Liberty St, Farmington, MI
CP
8:24 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
Something like the Beverly Hills Grill (13 Mile and Southfield).
Joleen Moore
8:29 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
Authentic Mexican!!!! I love it here in Farmington, but I really miss the southern Mexican Meals!:)
Kathleen Rodak
5:02 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Real Mexican! This is my vote and my friends vote.
Beth Montalvo
8:55 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
I totally agree that Farmington needs a destination restaurant. My husband and I drive a fair distance to enjoy dinner at nicer restaurants at least once a week, and we live less than two miles from downtown Farmington. I would love to be able to keep my restaurant spending local!
Kara E. Clayton
9:44 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
You need to allow for a liquor license which Dimitri's did not have. That's the only way to get a destination restaurant and a regular crowd to show up.
John Ferguson
11:34 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
MMMM. I like the idea of a Taco place.....Liquor license is a good idea though to get regular customers/ people after work.
Ed
12:00 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I agree John!
Bryce
12:14 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
If I'm not mistaken, Cowley's tried the higher end destination restaurant concept not all that long ago. From the offerings on their current menu along with the price points, it would seem that it didn't work.
Bryce
12:16 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
BTW... I was surprised to find chicken on their menu given the owners apparent disdain for the creature. :)
Jaelle Eby
12:27 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
A place like Papa John's where they do regular wine tastings for a reasonable price and have a selection of wines and deli food for sale to eat there or take out would be a nice addition to the downtown area.
Roberta Berndt
12:35 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I'd like to see something with a large outdoor area in the summer...like Pooles in Northville. If they redo the bldg., perhaps rooftop seating. A nice steak house or upscale Mexican place would be good. Definitely needs a liquor license.
usna frump
3:22 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
destination means seating and the current space hasn't got it....
Hugh McDiarmid, Jr.
4:35 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Bryce: I saw chicken on their menu too. It was nothing but a nuisance!
Regardless of what happens to the building, it sure would be nice to have the city start to use the property to create a visual and inviting connection between downtown and Shiawassee Park. Signs, walkways, or other inviting infrastructure should let people know that the stairway to an awesome greenspace is only a couple hundred yards away...........
Linda Aguirre
6:06 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
A Mexican restaurant.
Eric Vogel
8:09 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I wish I knew it was going to close. I wanted to give them a try.
I like the downtown the way it is and do not want to see it turn into a entertainment only down town.
I am stunned the city spend money it could have better used elsewhere and just waited for the economy to improve and someone to buy it. Look at that car wash, there are hazards in the bays, the sidewalks between it and Orchard Lake get super bad and are in disrepair. We now know where half the outsoursing dispatch went to.
There is this one in Oak Park I think that serves several different types of food, not all on the same day. Can be hungarian or polish....
Andy Schulist
9:36 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
seems like we should have saved the 430k in this tight economy, another waste of taxpayers money just like the new city hall in FH that wasnt needed