DETROIT – Restaurants inside the Renaissance Center want customers to know they are still fully operating and open for business.
When people walk through the doors of the Renaissance Center today, it feels eerily quiet. Security guards stand watch where there used to be a steady stream of shoppers.
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If people push past the hush, business is still buzzing.
“We’re here, and we’re alive and kicking,” Highlands Chef and Owner Shawn McClain said. “We’re doing very well, and, you know, the building is going through changes.”
“We’re here. We aren’t going anywhere, not until June of 2027,” John Vicari, vice president of Joe Muer Seafood and Andiamo said. “The three restaurants are going to be here up until January 1st of 2027 and Andiamo does have to leave because they signed a contract to be out by then.”
The cornerstones admit the building shake up has meant some business slowdowns.
“In the meantime, we know there will be some bumps in the road,” McClain said.
“We had beautiful luncheons here and our lunch business was great,” Vicari said. “Our happy hour business was great. Then we had office things, people would come down and have dinner … that’s all gone and so all that business is gone. Now we’re just relying on people coming out for special events.”
Similarly, Highlands says special events can give them a boost. But, they want the everyday crowd to know they aren’t going anywhere.
McClain says the food and the view is well worth the long elevator ride up.
“It’s worth the journey,” McClain said. “The building is a little quieter than it used to be, but, as you can see behind me, we are alive and well.”
Vicari says the same.
“590 reservations for Valentine’s Day,” Vicari said.
Despite the short-term adjustment, they are looking forward to the new development coming.