Ferndale Restaurants The Emory and Scout Vester Announce Closure
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 11, 2024)
Ferndale, MI – Longtime Ferndale bar/restaurant The Emory and relative newcomer Scout Vester have both announced closure last week.
SCOUT VESTER AND WHATS NEXT…
Scout Vester had opened at 177 Vester Street in July. The space previously had been home to M-Brew, which had closed during the pandemic. Prior to that the location had been a VFW Hall.
Scout was owned by Matthew Buskard, who owns Bobcat Bonnie’s restaurants. Buskard rclosed Bobcat Bonnie’s Ypsilanti location in October following disputes with employees. He also had purchased The Fly Trap in Ferndale in 2022, which he recently sold back to the previous owners.
The Scout Vester Facebook page announced the closure, stating:
“Scout friends-
We have made the decision to cease operations effective today Monday Dec 2nd. You may be thinking to yourself- wow that’s really short and it is- we were hopeful we could maybe see a bump up this weekend but the combo of the economy and weather- slowed us down from seeing any bump up in sales.
“There’s a lot of things we learned this year (some were hard lessons learned…) but here’s what we did for staff. We had a meeting last week letting them know we would be closing, and had lined up places that were hiring to ensure everyone had a place to land. Anyone who stuck with us for the final week would receive 1 weeks pay as well (giving in essence 3 weeks of notice to get things lined up.)
“Scout was a project that was such a long term passion project. We started the process of getting it back in late 2021-early 2022. Over the next year plus all the legal stuff between the former owners was settled, and we got keys roughly end of 2023. This was also a time when sales for restaurants looked different- our stores were coming off an amazing 2022 and had seen some dip in 2023 but nothing like we are seeing in 2024 (and dipping even more the last 3 months or so…) Had Scout opened in 2022 or 2023 it would have had enough established to sale through what has been one of the roughest sales years we’ve seen. We have been in Ferndale since 2018 and our goal has been to help support the community and reinvest in places that made Ferndale special (Fly Trap, MBrew…) while we navigate this new economy our goal is the same- to support the community that supported us. We have worked so hard to find the unique, cool spots in Ferndale, and try to preserve them. We love this city so much.
“Scout (Mbrew) is a really special place- we put a lot into getting it back up and started- in fact it was way more than what we had imagined- but we had support from some really great folks who believed in the concept, and believed in its value in the neighborhood. As we continued to grow and work out some kinks we found that Scout was doing roughly 60% of the sales we needed it to do to just cover the bills. We made the difficult choice that we just couldn’t keep putting money into something that was not working- especially as sales at every small business continue to be down. We know folks will have a lot of ideas, rumors, negativity and some advice as to why it didn’t work- from not enough marketing (we spent over $3k on social media alone the last 2 months…) to finishing the main game room area (which would cost so much- and given we spent an incredible amount getting a space that’s was closed for many years open- we didn’t have the funds…) Who knew a space that had been closed for so long would need so much attention, and who knew that this back part of 2024 would be such a challenge economically. This has been the single hardest year of my career, and my life- so this choice wasn’t made easily. It’s been a rough year for many- so I hope your time at Scout allowed you to smile, and enjoy a bit.
“So what’s next for Scout? I’m not sure- we have an amazing landlord who worked with us to navigate these ups and downs- so I’m grateful that the building is in good hands! I hope whoever is next here thrives (rumor has it someone great is coming in- and when they do- I hope we all show up to give them love!)
“As we focus on Bobcat Bonnie’s- I just ask personally- that with whatever you do- help support local spots that have for years supported the local community. I know many small business owners who are very worried with how things are going- so whatever you can do to support- please do! Without YOU we cannot survive!
With so much love- gratitude- and appreciation-
Matt and the Scout Team”
Plans are already in the works for the next restaurant in that location.
Dana Taucher, owner of Syndicate Ferndale, announced “I am thrilled to share some exciting news that has turned another one of my dreams into reality for the second time… If you don’t know me my name is Dana Taucher, I own Syndicate Ferndale…. and I am officially opening a second restaurant concept!
“This journey has been an incredible blessing, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the community, friends, and family who have supported me along the way. We have now taken over the former Mbrew/Scout location off of Vester! Thank you to the wonderful tenants who have made this transition almost flawless.
“First, I want to assure everyone who loves Syndicate that it remains our cherished home base, and we are dedicated to continuing the level of care, quality, and hospitality you’ve come to expect. Your unwavering support has made a huge impact on making this possible, and it’s because of your trust that we feel inspired to bring something new and inviting to the city we all love.
“Growing as a business owner and as a member of this wonderful community has been a privilege that I do not take lightly. To my “work” family and friends: thank you from the bottom of my heart for every moment of encouragement, every shared idea, and every hand that’s lifted me through challenges. Your belief in me has been the cornerstone of our success, and this next chapter is as much a reflection of your love and support as it is of our hard work.
“To the community that has embraced us: you are the reason we’re here. It’s our mission to continue serving you in meaningful ways. While I can’t reveal too much about what’s coming to 177 Vester, I can promise that our new spot will offer an approachable menu and bar designed to fill the space that’s been missing in our city. It will be a place where everyone feels welcome—a place to create new memories and connections, to enjoy great food, beverages and more!
“As with any new venture, there are challenges ahead, especially with renovations for a space that needs some extra love. Our goal is to open by early spring, but we are prepared to navigate the unexpected with patience and care. Every step of this journey is an investment in the future of this community, and we’re committed to making it something special. We are excited, humbled, and eager to bring this project to life. Thank you for believing in us, for celebrating our growth, and for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to new beginnings, endless possibilities, and the power of community—all guided by faith and gratitude. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new space soon!”
THE EMORY
The Emory opened at 22700 Woodward Avenue in 2007, and will be ceasing operations at the end of this month.
It was one of three establishments owned by the Johnston family who also owned neighboring WAB and The Loving Touch.
They announced their closure online, stating “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. Since 2007, The Emory has been a place for our community to find comfort food, split a bottle of wine with a friend, spend time with family, or find other locals who want to spend some time alone together. We’ve loved seeing the city grow, and seeing our staff evolve and move on to do amazing things. We’ve seen our guests’ first dates, new years’ kisses, farewells, and many other moments that we’re honored to have shared.
“We’ve been the little sibling of WAB and the big sibling of The Loving Touch, and seen both places evolve into what they are today. And at the end of 2024, we’ll be writing the last chapter of The Emory. We’ll be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December. Come have a drink, meet a friend, and share a memory of the last 17 years. Our incredible staff has stuck with us as we’ve prepared to wind down – please show them love when you come in! We want to say THANK YOU for all the years of support. Let’s make it a December to Remember!”
FERNDALE CONTINUES TO BE DINING DESTINATION
Ferndale remains a popular destination for those seeking food and drinks.
Among the plethora of dining options are Howe’s Bayou, Pop’s for Italian, Barrel House, Louisa’s, Star of India, Tigerlilly, Public House, Syndicate, Como’s, Voyager, Got Pho, Imperial and more.
Oakland County Times is on a quest to try every restaurant in Oakland County, and has provided reviews of many Ferndale favorites. Check out our complete list in our OC Restaurant Quest.
