Streetcar USA building to become Royal Oak bistro

metromode, 3/11/2010

The home of Streetcar USA is about to become a space for a new restaurant in downtown Royal Oak.

The specialty auto-technology firm is moving to new office space in Southfield so the owner, Michael Chetcuti, who is also principal of Streetcar USA, can open the space up to a full-service bistro within the next 6-8 months.

"The dramatic proportions of the space lends itself to a restaurant or entertainment venue," Chetcuti says. "We have rented it out so many times to bridal showers and parties over the last three years."

That's how long ago Chetcuti saved what was often considered an obsolete building. He put his automotive firm on the main floor and his wine shop in the basement. Before that it had been a vacant structure on Main Street just south of the railroad tracks.

The 4,000-square-foot St. Clair Edison building, 711 S. Main St, is 104 years old, making it one of Royal Oak's oldest. It originally served as a power generating plant for streetcars, and later as a warehouse.

Source: Michael Chetcuti, principal of Streetcar USA
Writer: Jon Zemke

Royal Oak