Public House, a Ferndale Staple for 12 Years, to Close

Public House, the popular Ferndale restaurant that flung open its doors in 2013, is closing permanently in February, according to a news release. In recent years, the establishment has changed ownership and struggled to recover during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant opened in 2013 and became a popular destination in Ferndale for its sliders, cocktails, and neighborhood vibes. Ownership at Hometown Restaurant Group plans to close Public House on Sunday, February 9. Local chain Sidecar Slider Bar, which runs seven locations, will take over the space in February with a menu of gourmet sliders, salads, gourmet dogs, and full bar service. Hometown Restaurant Group CEO Brian Kramer cited the rising costs of food and labor — plus more competition as reasons for the closure: “This was a very difficult decision and a heartbreaking decision,” Kramer said in the release. In June 2022, the restaurant brought on the talents of vegan-focused chef Megan Shaw of the popular Street Beet pop-up as a consultant to design a plant-based menu for the kitchen. Shaw, along with Street Beet co-founder Nina Paletta since went on to reestablish a long-term residency at Third Street Bar in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. Hometown, previously known as Kramer Restaurant Group, purchased Public House in 2021 from another restaurant group, Working Class Outlaws, which came under fire over allegations that the company fostered a toxic work environment and turned a blind eye to accusations of racism and sexual harassment. Hometown would also buy an izakaya from Working Class. They would replace Antihero with TigerLily, which kept a similar theme. The restaurant will be open for limited hours over the next 12 days until Sunday, February 9. Public House, 241 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale, closing on Sunday, February 9; closing schedule is from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, January 31 and February 7; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 1; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 2 and Saturday, February 8; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 9.