Well-known Jolly Pumpkin brand closes its Royal Oak location and will rebrand
The Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant and Taphouse on Main and Fifth Streets in Royal Oak, which occupied the space for more than five years, is no longer. A “Sorry, we are closed” message was posted shortly after midnight Sunday on the Jolly Pumpkin’s Facebook page.
“Our hearts are heavy with a mix of gratitude, nostalgia, a touch of sadness, and even excitement as we bid farewell to Jolly Pumpkin on Main & Fifth,” the post reads.
In thanking the loyal Royal Oak community and guests, Jolly Pumpkin also mentioned starting a new chapter in the same spot.
Starting Friday, it will unveil a new brand called Bandit Tavern & Hideaway with a new culinary concept.
The new spot, according to the post, will be a take on and draw inspiration from Southern-style beverages and cooking. Its new take will also include “a few nods to our favorite dishes from past partners that were also housed in this building.”
A grand opening is set for 11 a.m. Friday, according to the post. For those craving Jolly Pumpkin food and drink, the post suggested its Detroit location on Canfield in Midtown. At its Midtown location, the space is shared with Avalon Canfield, notably known as Avalon International Breads, which moved there earlier this year from its former flagship location, which stood for 25 years.
Mission Restaurant Group operates the Jolly Pumpkin brand and other concepts in Michigan. There are five other Jolly Pumpkin locations statewide, including Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Ann Arbor, according to Mission Restaurant Group’s website. Most recently, the restaurant group transformed its Smith & Co., restaurant in Midtown and reopened it as Vigilante Kitchen + Bar.
A Jolly Pumpkin location on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn is listed online as being permanently closed. Calls to the Jolly Pumpkin in Royal Oak were referred to its public relations firm.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jolly Pumpkin in Royal Oak is closed and unveiling a new concept
