-Popular grocer to take space in First National Building-
DETROIT, March 28, 2013 – Bedrock Real Estate Services today announced it is finalizing plans to bring the popular grocer Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market and Catering to the Rock Ventures-owned First National Building, steps from Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit.
Papa Joe’s would occupy approximately 15,000 square feet of first floor space adjacent to the Roasting Plant in the building. While meeting the growing demand for a downtown grocer, the new market is also expected to create 80 new jobs.
“This is a historic opportunity to be on the ground floor of my hometown’s retail revitalization,” said Papa Joe’s Founder Tony Curtis. “As a grocer, it is a point of pride to bring healthy, fresh groceries and specialty foods back to downtown.”
According to Curtis, the concept for the new store is a little different than the typical Papa Joe’s. In addition to everything available at Papa Joe’s suburban locations, the downtown location will also include delivery and table service for gourmet pizza, pasta, Thai food, sushi as well as a full liquor license. A native Detroiter, Curtis opened his first store in 1971 at 10 Mile and Schoenherr in Warren and currently has locations in Birmingham and Rochester Hills.
“Papa Joe’s expansion to Detroit will be welcome news to downtown foodies, residents and workers alike who have long lamented the lack of a downtown grocery store,” said Dan Mullen, Bedrock’s Vice President of Real Estate Development, Rock Ventures’ full-service real estate firm specializing in purchasing, leasing, financing, developing and managing of commercial space.
“This will be an expansion of Papa Joe’s tried and true concept of offering fresh produce, meat, and seafood as well as gourmet prepared foods and catering that has devoted fans already in metro Detroit,” said Mullen.
Papa Joe’s would be both a destination and an important connecter to other revitalization and placemaking efforts in Campus Martius, Cadillac Square and Lower Woodward. Final details and renderings of the space are still in process but are expected to include retail and restaurant space plus seasonal outdoor café seating that is visibly and physically connected to other activities planned for Cadillac Square. The goal is to open late this year or early in 2014, assuming all the retail, layout and financing details are agreed upon.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to be the first truly downtown grocer in years. My head is full of ideas of how to serve people with great products and services in an inviting space with great indoor and outdoor flow,” added Curtis.
More information about Papa Joe’s Markets is available at www.papajoesmarket.com.
About Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC
Detroit-based Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC is a full service real estate firm specializing in purchasing, leasing, financing, developing and managing of commercial space. For more information, visit www.bedrockmgt.com.