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The Statler French American bistro in downtown Detroit abruptly closes.A redesign and new concept that leans more toward a casual restaurant is expected to open in the location.
The Statler, known as a French American-style bistro in downtown Detroit, has temporarily closed.
According to messages on the Statler’s social media outlets, the restaurant is “temporarily closed as we undergo a full redesign and prepare to introduce something new.”
The message on Instagram indicates a fresh concept is in store for a “reimagined space,” that will be “truly worth the wait.”
Joe Vicari, president of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group which owns The Statler, cited nearby competition and a typical summertime slow down as the reasons for closing.
“We are talking about several different concepts, but we have not narrowed it down yet,” Vicari, reached by phone Friday afternoon, told the Free Press. “Summertime is a slow time of the year for restaurant business anyway and it’s just been slow, and we decided to close.”
The Statler occupied part of the ground floor of the City Club Apartments CBD in downtown Detroit, on the corner of Washington Boulevard and West Grand River. It’s named after the historic Statler Hotel, which once occupied the site.
About a year-and-a half after The Statler’s opening, French restaurant Le Suprême opened its doors on the same street, about two blocks away. Parisian-inspired Le Suprême opened in 2023 on the ground floor of the Book Tower building.
Vicari said they committed to continue running The Statler as a French restaurant as long as they weren’t losing money, but the restaurant ultimately did lose money. He said they decided to close, and transform the space into a new concept.
Vicari said the group hoped to have an idea of what will be in the location in the next 30 days, saying they are “leaning more towards a more casual concept and more mainstream.”
The Statler offered seating for more than 150 inside and an outdoor patio that seated more than 125 people, featuring portable heaters and fire pits, amid views of nearby Grand Circus Park and the Detroit skyline.
The Statler opened in late 2021, touting modern takes on bistro classics and contemporary twists on French cuisine. In May, The Statler announced that Jeff Lanctot, formerly of the Rattlesnake Club, joined as its new chef, with a focus on a locally sourced and seasonal menu.
Widely known for its Andiamo Italian locations and Joe Murer Seafood restaurants, Vicari’s hospitality group also owns and operates the Birmingham Pub in Birmingham, the Bronze Door in Grosse Pointe Farms and other concepts. Andiamo Pasta & Chops is the newest concept from the hospitality group, with the first one opening last September at The Mall at Partridge Creek on Hall Road in Clinton Township.
In April, Andiamo’s Fenton location transformed to Andiamo Pasta & Chops Fenton.
More recently, Vicari collaborated with Kid Rock, transforming the group’s Joe Muer Seafood in Nashville into The Detroit Cowboy.
Family-owned and operated for more than four decades, the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group in 2023 ranked as the 22nd largest restaurant group in the U.S. by industry magazine Nations Restaurant News, with more than 20 restaurants in the group.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
Dining and Cooking