Union
Street�s building dates back to the early 1900�s when a hardware
store/auto parts store were part of a thriving Woodward Avenue.
Across the street was the Garden Bowl and the Majestic theatre
built in 1915.
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In the 30�s, the famous Italian restaurant

opened, thus the long running history of restaurants at 4145
Woodward Ave. Arturo�s was owned by relatives of other Detroit
eateries, namely, Mario�s and Lelli�s! Arturo�s was also a social
club for the
in Detroit. Down the street was the magnificent Greystone Ballroom
where the Big Band�s played and people danced all night long.
The Greystone bar, now Canfield�s had a gym above it where Mohammed
Ali worked out as a young boxer.
The area was �happening� with people and activity and a nightlife
we long for in Detroit today. Imagine the streetcars full, theatres
and restaurants going all night long, wow, maybe we can do it
again!
 
In the 60�s, Arturo�s closed down and
Mad Wayne Anthony�s opened. The name was appropriate for this
�wild� neighborhood hangout. Entertainment of all �sorts�, along
with a �party� atmosphere certainly added to its reputation.
The neighborhood continued to decline and Mad Wayne Anthony�s
closed. The entire block sat empty before Tom Brandel saw its
potential and opened up Union Street in the mid 70�s.
Union Street was a famous street in San Francisco with several
bars and restaurants. Tom reopened the kitchen and started a
Jazz & Blues tradition at Union Street. Tom Brandel is a well-known
restaurateur in Metro Detroit with Tom�s Oyster bar as well
as several other successful establishments. Union Street became
a well-known restaurant under Tom�s guidance and vision.
 
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Greg
Gedda
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Tony
Balsys
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Greg Gedda and Tony Balsys bought Union
Street from Tom in 1986. Two inexperienced hometown boys were
in for the journey of their life. They not only dealt with a
costly business, but the Cultural Center had all the major problems
of Detroit at that time.
 

John
Lopez
Union Street evolved from a San Francisco
pub to a �Motown� hangout. The first few years were quite a
party, Union Street even had an �after hours� club for over
a year just to make it happen. Under Ron Stewart�s food regime
and John Lopez�s floor command Union Street finally got a review
by Molly and we really took off!
 

Spot, our in house pet was Tony�s dog
- a beautiful & gentle �Pit Bull�! Spot was a part of the early
zany days at Street. Our original �logo� was a still picture
of Spot sitting at our bar; Tony added the motto-�I was spotted
at Union Street�
 
Tony left the business, but without his
zany contributions, who knows what would have happened. We became
the 1st �hot spot� in Detroit in years. The �way cool� place
to be. Our Art Gallery, poetry readings and eclectic bar crowd
were propelling us into the �Big Time�.
 
In
the mid 90�s, Union Street became a full-fledged restaurant.
We build a brand new kitchen in order to grow into our expanding
market. We totally remodeled the �Michigan Room� in the exact
replica of our art deco look in the main dining room.
Union Street continues to grow and expand into new areas. Our
catering and in-house parties have grown along with our theatre
crowd. Union Street is the neighborhood �hub� for community
activities. We are committed to the community at large, always
working to improve the neighborhood we proudly represent!
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