Flat Top Grill closes on Washtenaw Avenue after parent company files for bankruptcy
The custom stir-fry restaurant Flat Top Grill on Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor closed this week, two years after opening in the Huron Village Shopping Center.
Flat Top Grill closed shortly after its parent company filed for bankruptcy.
Paula Gardner | AnnArbor.com
Flat Top is part of a Chicago-based restaurant chain, Flat Out Crazy Co., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in New York on Jan. 25, according to to the Indianapolis Business Journal.
In the bankruptcy filing, the company listed both assets and liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million, the journal reported.
When contacted by AnnArbor.com, Flat Out Crazy Co. representatives referred comment to Steven Learner, a Cincinnati-based lawyer who is handling the company's bankruptcy.
Learner did not return phone calls seeking comments. McKinley Inc. of Ann Arbor manages Huron Village and could not be reached for comment.
The 3,019- square-foot location, which formerly housed American Home Fitness, occupies half of the outlot building in the center. The restaurant was located at one of the highest-traffic intersections of the city at the corner of Washtenaw and Huron Parkway, about one-half mile west of US-23.
The IBJ reported that the parent company has closed locations around the Midwest because they were not meeting sales expectations.
The chain operates restaurants in three Midwest states. Flat Out Crazy also operates the Stir Crazy chain, an Asian grill that operates in 7 states, including Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Hmm
Mon, Feb 11, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
Blimpy's
Paula Gardner
Mon, Feb 11, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
FYI, in case anyone has a gift card to Flat Top: I used mine yesterday at Stir Crazy at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills. I'd never been to that mall, but I was nearby at Oakland University anyway so decided to try it. The restaurant has an exterior sign, so it's easy to find. That won't be the solution for everyone, but the cards are at least still usable in Michigan.
Kellie Woodhouse
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 3:24 p.m.
What a shame. Thanks for reporting this, Katrease.
hawkhulk
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.
This is very disheartening. The place was very good and preferable to Mongolian Barbecue downtown. This only goes to show that the economy has not really rebounded and quality dining is a premium. Add the closure of the Hibachi Grill at Glencoe Crossing and it adds up, not in a good way.
seldon
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
Not really, or at least not based on these examples. Flat Top was badly advertised. Hibachi Grill went in right down the street from Asia City, which already had a following, and was in a FAR less visible location.
simone66
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 5:55 a.m.
I live right across the street and never went there. I'm sure that spot will fill up quickly with another restaurant.
whatsupwithMI
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 11:59 p.m.
" Flat Top Grill closes on Washtenaw Avenue after parent company files for bankruptcy" so Flat Top Grill bought Washtenaw Avenue after the street's parent company filed for bankruptcy?
fjord
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 1:54 a.m.
Relax.
music to my ear
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
whats up wit choo
bruceae
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 9:23 p.m.
We go downtown and eat at BD's at least 2 times a month (was there last night). I was thrilled when this place opened up out here so my daughter and I were in there the first week it was open. It was more expensive than BD's, no salad bar and you had to pay extra for shrimp. We were there once and never went back. I'm surprised it lasted this long.
dading dont delete me bro
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 8:12 p.m.
flat top grill? never heard about it.
Bear
Mon, Feb 11, 2013 : 1:29 a.m.
seems there's a lot you've never heard about dading! (sorry bro, couldn't help myself!) :^)
JRW
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 8 p.m.
Very difficult to get in and out of that parking lot at the corner of Wash Ave and Huron Pkwy. Parking spaces are made for mini coopers. Could have contributed to its low sales.
seldon
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.
It's true, though, that parking lot has made some of us go elsewhere rather than deal with it. You can usually find a space, but man is it annoying. (annarbor.com: maybe you should do a "Most irritating parking lots in Ann Arbor" poll.)
fjord
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 1:52 a.m.
The lot sucks, to be sure, but in all the times I went there (which were many) I never had trouble finding a space.
dfossil
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.
I'm sorry to hear this as this was a fun place to eat & to take friends. Clearly this has nothing to do with the local store but as it says the parent company took it down, like so many others, Ol' Country Buffet and on and on. All the Parent companies say th same thing; "Not meeting expectations", well that's a bad business plan on the part of the parent Company !
Billy
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 5:43 p.m.
I ate there twice....was actually kinda surprised. Food was pretty good, service was nice...and their menu seemed to be rather accommodating to people with special dietary needs (not me mind you....but I always notice these things in restaurants). PLUS they had a separate grill with clean pans to do allergy sensitive dishes. All in all they got a 10/10 for customer service from me....and I'm the hardest person to please in that department. In fact there aren't many places I'd give a 10 in this city.....Real Seafood is one of the only ones actually.....Carsons too.....oh look I named 2 MSV restaurants....heh
Kristine Adams
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 4:49 p.m.
I loved this place. I knew the person from the company that came here to open the restaurant and went to the grand opening. They expect their restaurants to do a lot in sales. They had merged with someone and opened 7 new restaurants this one, and one in Rochester Hills being 2 of them. All but I think 1 are still open. The bankruptcy did not help.
Katrease Stafford
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 4:07 p.m.
When I drove by this place a few weeks ago, I told myself I would try it out soon. I'm curious, how was the food?
fjord
Sun, Feb 10, 2013 : 1:51 a.m.
Superior to BD's. Better and more varied produce, better overall selection of everything except meats (which I know is a big deal to a lot of people, but not to me), and offered a number of extras that set them apart from BD's. Also, you didn't have to endure the tiresome performance around the grill (sorry BD's, not my thing). Also, Flat Top was extremely vegan-friendly.
seldon
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
Similar to BD's, but they had these really amazing parathas.
YpsiGreen
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
Not really all that stellar if you ask me. Higher price; little food. Better value at BD's I think.
fjord
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
I'm heartbroken! We loved this place and went there often. It always seemed pretty busy to me — hard to believe they weren't "meeting sales expectations."
Paul
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 8:24 p.m.
The problem was likely with the other locations, they had too many under performing locations and all got shut down, even the good ones.
Elijah Shalis
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
Thats too bad, I had yet to try it and was planning on doing so.
Unusual Suspect
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.
The staff was great, the management made good on a mistake even though I said it was no problem. Like Mongolian, the thing I liked about this place is it's great for when a group can't decide on there to do. Those who want Mexican food can get it. Same with those who want Chinese, Thai, Italian or American, because you assemble it yourself. And it you don't like the food, you have only yourself to blame.
notnecessary
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 3:26 p.m.
That's too bad this place was good. Before everyone blames the demise of this place on the parking at Huron Village I don't think that was an issue here...seems like a corporate issue
notnecessary
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
+1 @tdw
tdw
Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
mandy...Business 101.If your costs exceed your income you either go out of business or try to save something by filing for bankruptcy.Perhaps it would make you feel better if they got a bailout paid by taxpayers or just everyone employed by them loses their jobs