From lollipops to lattes, a sugar-coated revival is coming to Detroit’s Hubbard Richard neighborhood. A vacant 1890s Victorian home—with a brick storefront that once housed a candy shop—is being reimagined as The Grand Porter, a cozy daytime cafe and restaurant.
The Grand Porter is set to open at 3620 Porter Street, led by Reimer Priester, owner of Cafe Sous Terre. While details are still taking shape, Priester told What Now Detroit that “the cake is still baking,” using the metaphor to describe the project’s ongoing development.
The name, inspired by its location at the corner of Grand and Porter, is also meant to evoke a sense of travel and hospitality.
The new restaurant will be different from his former cafe.
“Cafe Sous Terre is really cool because it’s dark, it’s in a basement, it’s moody, it’s dim – that kind of vibe,” Priester said. “This is almost the exact opposite – it’s light, it’s bright, it’s sunny, it’s wonderful, and I like the contrast an awful lot.”
Inside The Grand Porter, guests will find a Belgian farmhouse aesthetic with light, earthy textures, designed by his wife, Rebecca Priester of Rebecca Priester Design.
The new concept will include a full kitchen—something missing at Cafe Sous Terre—and will seat around 30 guests, with potential for expanded outdoor seating on a neighboring lot.
A menu has yet to be finalized, as Priester hopes to collaborate closely with a local chef. However, the café will feature breakfast and lunch staples, house-made baked goods by pastry chef Camry Smith, and a coffee program led by general manager Joel Jones.
“I’m really excited to work with a really talented local chef to create some exciting breakfast and lunch foods,” Priester said. “I like the idea of being a part of the creative process without dictating it because food and drink are my central passion outside of family and friends.”
The drink menu will include the same classic coffee offerings as Café Sous Terre, with the addition of bottled beverages sourced from local juicers. While the space won’t open with a liquor license, Priester is open to exploring that possibility down the line.
Opening a second location wasn’t originally on Priester’s radar, but after being contacted in 2024 by Hubbard Richard residents and property owners Louisa and Devon Caldwell, he toured the space and quickly saw its potential.
Though an exact opening date hasn’t been announced, Priester hopes to welcome guests sometime this year.
[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated after formally interviewing Reimer Priester]
