Next In Midtown: Music Theater, Gallery, Yoga, Tapas, Wine Bar

 

A scorecard is needed to keep track of new business players in Midtown, and Crain's has one in a "Detroit 2.0" supplemental section.

The special report, subtitled "Entrepreneurship and rebuilding in the D," includes a rundown by Sherri Welch of what's coming on Cass, Woodward, Alexandrine, Second and other blocks near Wayne State.

Nearly two dozen restaurants, stores and service businesses have opened in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood over the past year -- and at least a dozen more are on the way in the coming months.

New eateries, a gallery, a music venue and a wine bar are among newcomers that will notch up the coolness quotient, though nonprofit group president Sue Mosey ("the unofficial mayor of Midtown") tells Welch the area could use more mundane shops as well.    

Midtown also needs more basic service businesses for the growing number of residents in the area, she said. At the top of her list are an optical store, dry cleaners and general housewares.

Here's what Crain's lists as in the works:

• La Feria: Spanish tapas restaurant coming to 4130 Cass Ave. this fall.
• Just Baked and Just Topped: Ice cream and four dozen cupcake varieties will be served at 3939 Woodward Ave.
• Bikram Yoga Midtown: Studio for hot yoga style is due to open this fall at 55 W. Canfield St.
• Go Sy Thai!: Fast-dining and delivery branch of Birmingham cafe, coming by next month to open now at 4240 Cass Ave.
• Woodward Garden Theatre: Live music space with 1,400-person capacity will be at 3919-33 Woodward Ave. by late fall, theoretically.
• Fatburger: California chain plans to open this fall at 4501 Woodward Ave.
• Melt: A gelato shop at 4160 Cass Ave., expected in autumn.
• Zef's Midtown: A coney island at 4160 Woodward Ave. Also after summer.
• Galerie Camille: An art showplace at 4130 Cass Ave., within four months.
• Cafe Con Leche: Second location of Jodi Carbonell's popular southwest Detroit coffee shop will be at 2990 W. Grand Blvd. next year.
• Alley Wine: Workers are about to start converting alley garages to a walk-up wine bar at 655 W. Alexandrine St. A 2014 debut is planned.
• Selden Standard: Restaurant at 3929 Second St. will have a "local and fresh" theme next year.