It's last call for Bandit Tavern & Hideaway in Royal Oak, as the Mission Restaurant Group announced a sudden closure of the Southern-inspired eatery that took over the former Jolly Pumpkin location. Opened for less than a year, Bandit Tavern bid its farewell to the community through a post on Facebook Monday evening, concluding with a simple gratitude: "We have officially closed our doors. Thanks for letting us be part of the Royal Oak community. We'll miss you!" reported FOX 2 Detroit.
David Ritchie, president of the group, cited current market conditions as the catalyst for the closure. In his response, he highlighted the company's history in the area, "We are proud to have served the Royal Oak community for two decades, employed thousands of people, introduced 11 unique restaurant concepts, and made lifelong friends. Unfortunately, current market conditions have forced us to focus our attention and resources in other areas. We are working with staff to place as many people as possible at other locations within our group. We sincerely appreciate the support we received over the years and will miss operating in Royal Oak," according to a statement obtained by Detroit Free Press. Efforts are being made to reallocate the staff to other venues within the restaurant group.
Bandit Tavern's brief tenure followed a pattern of quick pivots and themes at their 419 S. Main Street location, gaining attention for the rapid conversion from Jolly Pumpkin to the Bandit Tavern and Hideaway concept, as well as for its seasonal downstairs pop-ups that included a "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" themed bar. With the closure of Bandit, Royal Oak loses yet another local dining spot that promised an "ever-evolving space," and it comes on the heels of Mission Restaurant Group's recent venture into a new concept, Epiphany — Nain Rouge Kitchen, a collaboration with the nonprofit Soil2Service and its Detroit Institute of Gastronomy culinary program, detailed by an article from Detroit Free Press.
The shuttering of Bandit Tavern is another chapter in the history of the B&C building—a structure recognized on the National Register of Historic Places—and one that has hosted a variety of businesses over the years including Bastone Brewery, Vinotecca Wine Bar, and Café Habana. After the Jolly Pumpkin's six years of operation and a list of other former establishments, the corner at Main Street and Fifth Avenue faces yet another transformation. "Dear Friends, we have officially closed our doors," reads a farewell sign, echoing the Facebook post message that also was shared by Daily Tribune.
