Vigilante Kitchen + Bar, a unique concept focusing on supporting sobriety and combating addiction, has changed owner and temporarily closed to undergo a rebrand. The Detroit concept, located at 644 Selden St, was originally created by Chef Aaron Cozadd in collaboration with Mission Restaurant Group. After a successful run, the restaurant is now ready for its next stage, including a change of ownership, a complete rebrand, some interior updates, and a menu overhaul.
The news of Vigilante Kitchen rebranding yet again was first seen on Crains Detroit. The incoming operator is a local non-profit organization called Soil2Service and its Detroit Institute of Gastronomy. According to a news release, the new restaurant will offer apprentice-style culinary education to grant participants credentials issued by the U.S. Department of Labor and other industry-recognized certifications.
The transition of ownership was the natural result of a well-bloomed relationship.
“Soil2Service has always planned to open a restaurant. We met the management team through networking and found out they wanted to move around and provide more service on education and workforce development.” Soil2Service’s Executive Director, Jeremy Abbey told What Now Detroit over the phone.
Vigilante closed last Saturday to adjust to the rebranding. The restaurant anticipates to reopen in late April. According to Abbey, the team will make minor interior changes to create a more welcoming atmosphere. “We want to make it lighter and livelier, maybe add some plant life to the space,” Abbey said.
The team will also create a brand new menu serving American comfort food created from scratch in the kitchen as much as possible while staying approachable with ingredients and flavors rooted in America’s melting pot nature.
“We’re not afraid to use the culinary heritage that has made Detroit a culinary hub,” Abbey emphasized.
Mission Restaurant Group will continue to partner with Soil2Service for the yet-to-be-named new concept, although Chef Cozadd will move on to his next venture. Cozadd did not respond to What Now Detroit’s request for comments at the time of this coverage.
