Greektown Businesses Prepare for Opening Day Crowds Despite $20M Construction Project

Eateries and taverns in Detroit's Greektown will feed Opening Day throngs this Friday. A $20 million redesign has ripped up streets and walkways since March 2025. Access remains difficult.

Golden Fleece opens at 9 a.m. Friday and won't close until 2 a.m. Management posted placards with vital information around the building so patrons can navigate through debris and barriers blocking usual paths.

"It's going to take a lot more than this to slow us down," said Leisa Troup, according to WXYZ. Troup serves tables at the eatery. She said workers have adjusted since digging began over a year ago.

"We've learned through trial and error that signage is important," Troup said.

Spitiko Taverna launched four months ago while crews still hammered and dug outside. Owner George Melistas watched customers trickle in. Business crawled.

"It was very, very hard because the road. We only have one small sidewalk," Melistas said.

Melistas will offer deals on Friday. He'll post some signage outside his tavern. Maybe baseball fans will wander in.

"We're going to have some signs, we're going to have the specials, we'll prepare good food for everybody," Melistas said.

Customer Carley Kavanaugh plans to visit during the baseball kickoff. "I think anyone that can come and support the businesses in Detroit as a whole, even if you're not going to the game. It is such an experience and I try to come every single year," Kavanaugh said.

Troup said regulars keep returning despite detours and dust: "We're very fortunate that we have such a customer base that they have fun and these customers have not let that stop them from coming down here." 

Crews should finish part of the redesign by June. Workers will pack up tools and leave by fall 2026.

Troup anticipates what comes next. "We're real excited. The opportunities and what we're going to be able to do in the future with the walkable space is great," Troup said.