Food Truck Restaurant “Detroit Fleat” Coming to Ferndale’s East Side

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 18, 2017)

Ferndale, MI – A proposed development could turn the Wing Hing Inn at 1820 E. 9 Mile into a food-truck themed restaurant called “Detroit Fleat.” (Yes, that is the way it’s spelled)

Aaron Tye, who owns the food truck and catering business “Delectabowl” and Four Way Party Rentals, was before the Ferndale Planning Commission on Wednesday for a public hearing on the special land use and site plan for the project.

The plans call for renovations to the restaurant inside and out, and the addition of outdoor seating and places around the outside of the parking lot for food trucks.  A storage garage will also be added to store the food trucks.  The restaurant and bar inside will accommodate guests year round.  Tye was not yet ready to announce the vendors or the style of food inside, but said that there was already a good mix of local food truck operators interested.

The special land use permit is for the outdoor seating. City Planner Justin Lyons explained that any outdoor music would have to fall within the decibel range city’s noise ordinance and would have to stop at 10pm.

A memo from Lyons to Council said “Outdoor seating areas are proposed for the west elevation adjacent to the parking lot and in the center of the food truck area at the southwest portion of the building. The west elevation outdoor dining area will be enclosed by a wood trellis overhead and planter boxes with flowering annuals. Patrons will have access to an outdoor gas fireplace and can access the interior of the restaurant through the overhead doors.

“Five food trailers would enclose the “food court-style” patio at the southwest portion of the building. The patio would allow for patrons to be seated under suspended low intensity patio lighting or access interior seating through two overhead doors. The food truck court patio would be enclosed and restrict access to the parking area in accordance with Michigan Liquor Control Commission standards.”

He explained benefits of the development, including that its outdoor seating, it’s location along the SMART Bus route and the nine-space bike rack fit in with the city’s vision for a walkable community.  It is also expected to add 15-20 new jobs.

The property is located at the corner of Wanda and E. 9 Mile where there are both neighborhoods and industrial properties nearby.  Detroit Fleat will offer lunch and dinner options in hopes of giving area workers and families new convenient food options.

Tye had lived in Ferndale for several years before moving to Royal Oak.  “We knew we wanted it to be in Ferndale,” he said after the public hearing was done.  “Ferndale is the place for food, and the city is one of the best for working with food truck operators.  I saw that space and I thought it would be perfect.  It wasn’t listed for sale, but I talked to the owner and made an offer.”

Because the renovations are relatively minor, he’s hoping to have Detroit Fleat open by summertime. Once launched, the restaurant’s website will be www.detroitfleat.com. The site is not yet live.

UPDATE (Jan. 24, 2017 – Wing Hing restaurant remains open until the renovation begin).

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