Brooklyn Street Local in Corktown to close, but owner says it's 'not goodbye'

Melody Baetens
The Detroit News

After nearly a decade of serving quiche, poutine and brunch favorites in Corktown, the Brooklyn Street Local is closing as a dine-in, brick-and-mortar business. 

Owner Deveri Gifford broke the news on social media Thursday morning. She said the Michigan Avenue restaurant will close but she and her team are "not saying goodbye." She confirmed the closing to The Detroit News and said she will hold on to the building.  

"I still love food, farming, the hospitality industry, Detroit and you," she said in a statement to followers, adding that she will be hosting pop-up events in the next few months and will sell their quiche and other items at Eastern Market and through Metro Detroit Crunchy Co-op. "We are scaling down, pivoting again and trying to figure out how to do this in a way that is sustainable." 

"The past ten years have been so much hard work, but it has also been so wonderful and rewarding," said Gifford, who opened the 40-seat cafe with husband Jason Yates; he stepped away from the business two years ago. The Canadian pair opened the restaurant in 2012 and was well-received by the neighborhood and local media because of their commitment to farm-fresh, local ingredients and great food. 

The restaurateur said that recent challenges "took a toll." Staffing was a factor, but not the only one, and Gifford said she has a core team that will be moving on with her to the next phase. 

"I am not selling the property," she said. "There is a plan for the space, more on that to come."

Gifford said for further updates on pop-ups, catering and where to find her food, follow Brooklyn Street Local on social media on Instagram @brooklynstreetlocal or at facebook.com/BrooklynStreetLocal.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @melodybaetens