The Wheat & Rye outpost beside Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus has gone dark as owner Martin Daronco moves ahead with a planned remodel. The airport-area bar and grill closed earlier this month, with a "closed" sign now greeting anyone who pulls up to the Merriman Road entrance. Daronco says the shutdown is a pause to refresh the spot, not a permanent goodbye.
Owner: 'Needed a Facelift'
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Daronco said he closed the Romulus location about two weeks earlier, explaining that "business was getting a little slower and they needed a facelift." He described the closure as temporary and said the staff would use the downtime to revamp the dining room and rework the bar layout.
Chain Website Drops Romulus From Locations
Wheat & Rye's official site now shows only its Allen Park and Southgate restaurants, with no Romulus listing on the locations page. That change on the Wheat & Rye site lines up with the temporary shutdown at the Merriman Road address.
Maps and Local Records Mark It Closed
The City of Romulus business directory now lists Airport Wheat & Rye as closed, and map listings place the restaurant at 7000 Merriman Road just north of I-94 and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport via MapQuest. Delivery and listing services also show the Merriman Road location as not taking orders while it is shuttered.
Owner Says Building Was Rebuilt
Daronco told the paper that the previous Romulus building was torn down and replaced with a new structure set farther back on the lot, and the closure will give crews time to redo finishes and kitchen flows. He said the team hopes to finish the work and reopen before the fall football season, although he did not commit to an exact date, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
Where To Go For Wheat & Rye Fare
Until the Romulus spot returns, Wheat & Rye customers will need to head to the chain's Allen Park or Southgate locations, which remain listed as active on the company's locations page. Travelers going to or from DTW may have to tack on a short detour to reach the nearest open outpost, and the company site lists hours and contact details for each restaurant.
This story will be updated when the owner or the restaurant announces a firm reopening date for the Romulus location. For now, anyone craving Wheat & Rye's sandwiches and steaks will need to stick with the Allen Park and Southgate locations.
