One-hitters

FOOD

Sugar Factory.

SUGAR FACTORY/FACEBOOK

Sugar Factory announces opening date

THE WAIT IS over: Sugar Factory has finally announced the date for its grand opening in downtown Detroit, and they’re currently taking reservations.

The candy-themed restaurant chain will open its doors in Detroit on Monday, Aug. 29, according to an announcement made on its social media pages.

It was announced back in January that the Sugar Factory would be opening in downtown Detroit at the One Campus Martius building, 45 Monroe St.

“We are excited to bring our decadent dishes, sweets and treats to the Detroit community, which have been enjoyed by guests around the world for over a decade,” shared owner Charissa Davidovici in a press release from the winter announcement. “The energy and atmosphere of downtown and the One Campus Martius building is the perfect place for Sugar Factory’s family-friendly dining.”

The Sugar Factory is currently accepting reservations for its Detroit grand opening; interested diners should call 947-219-0700. –Alex Washington

Sala Thai.

STEVE NEAVLING

Former Sala Thai building in Eastern Market is up for lease

WHAT WILL BECOME of Sala Thai’s former space in the Eastern Market now that the long-standing restaurant has closed? We don’t know, but it’s now available for lease to another restaurant or retail space.

Property management company Beanstalk Real Estate Solutions posted an advertisement for the 2,600-square-foot space, located in a former firehouse on Russell Street.

The Eastern Market haunt with its wooden interior and heaping portions of spicy noodles quietly closed in April of 2022. An abrupt statement on Sala Thai’s Facebook page on April 9 announced it would be closing for business that same day.

Sala Thai originally opened in Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighborhood in 1994 and moved to the Eastern Market location in 2002, according to the restaurant’s website. Its Sterling Heights location remains open. –Randiah Camille Green

PJ’s Lager House announces ‘End of an Era’ concert with performances by workers and their family

PJ’S LAGER HOUSE has announced the details for its third “End of an Era” concert series show before it gets sold to new owners.

The show is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 and will feature all performers who worked at the long-standing Corktown bar and music venue over the years, or their family, organizers say.

“This one is a little special in that all of the bands are employees with or related to PJ’s Lager House,” the event organizers said in a statement. “PJ’s has presented some amazing bands over the years, and many of them have had members who are part of the PJ’s crew.”

Those include: Air People: a new band from PJ’s Lager House cook and bartender (and Gardens frontman) Jeffrey Thomas. Bitch Kraft: a three-piece featuring PJ’s cook Emma Boyhtari on guitar and vocals, sound guy Steve Kowalski on guitar, bass, and vocals; and manager and talent buyer Katelyn Burkart on drums. Space Stars: a group led by bartender Dan Clark, with our former bartender Craig Brown (Craig Brown Band, Terrible Twos) on guitar and former booker Chris Campbell (Terrible Twos) on bass, with Bobcat (Terrible Twos) on drums. Curtis Roach: a TikTok-famous rapper whose mom Martha is a PJ’s bartender. The Reelers: a band fronted by Kowalski that is reuniting after Uncle Kracker poached its bassist and drummer for its first show in five years — and final show ever.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and there’s no cover.

The show joins two previously announced “End of an Era” concert series shows, including a Friday, Aug. 26 show featuring Timmy’s Organism, the Cheetahs, the Chris Casselo Trio, the Firewalkers, and the Vibrations; and a Sunday, Aug. 28 show featuring soul singer Melvin Davis, who is celebrating his 80th birthday, along with the New Orleans-inspired Gabriel Brass Band.

Other “End of an Era” concerts are planned for Saturday, Sept. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 1, though the lineups have not yet been announced.

Last month, owner PJ Ryder announced that he was working toward selling the business to the owner of the next-door building that houses the James Oliver Coffee Co.

PJ’s Lager House is located at 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; pjslagerhouse. com. –Lee DeVito