DETROIT (WWJ) - Avalon International Breads are shuttering the doors to its Willis Street Flagship Café, but will open a new collaborative restaurant with another Midtown business in Cass Corridor, co-founder Jackie Victor announced Tuesday night.
"On January 8th, Avalon is beginning a new chapter by closing its Willis Street Café and moving Into a new, collaborative concept with Jolly Pumpkin restaurant at 411 W. Canfield, around the corner from its original store," Victor said in a press release on Tuesday evening.
Victor credited the success of the bakery's flagship location in Detroit's Cass Corridor as "thriving," prompting the need for more shared resources, new menu options, ample parking and more.
The store helped launch a revitalization of Midtown in the 90s by attracting other businesses and serving a community gathering spots. Since then, five other Avalon locations sprung up in Southeast Michigan, gaining fans not only locally, but all over the world.
Leaving their first bakery -- which opened in 1997 -- will be bittersweet, but the co-founder is looking towards a bright future for the business.
"While we leave our first home of more than 25 years with both sadness and gratitude, we look forward to building a sustainable model combining the resources and strengths of both businesses," Victor added.
Sue Mosey, Executive Director of Midtown Detroit Inc. said while losing the original Avalon location on Willis will be felt, she is excited to see the new collaboration with Jolly Pumpkin.
"This model is one we are seeing across the district and will accelerate as a going forward model post COVID for a number of other local businesses," Mosey explained. "As the market has changed in all urban districts during COVID, our local entrepreneurs who are developing new models in response are much more likely to be profitable long term, which is the most important outcome".
Victor said the Willis employees will be mostly transferred to the new Midtown location, but all employees will have the opportunity to seek jobs through the family of companies.
Avalon's locations in Downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor, and within the Meijer Markets at Rivertown and Royal Oak will not be affected, the press release said.
The bakery said some menu items at the locations and where Avalon Bakery items are sold may have a difference in product availably as the company prepares to re-launch next month.
