Ann Arbor diners have lost a downtown Greek food favorite as Kouzina Greek Street Food has shuttered its doors at 332 S. Main St. Signs were down and the interior appeared vacant as of Monday, December 4th, signaling the end of an era for the restaurant that had been serving up Mediterranean flavors since 2016. Kouzina Greek Street Food, known for its casual take on Greek cuisine, including popular items like gyro bowls and spinach pies, opened its Ann Arbor branch in the space previously occupied by Middle Kingdom. While the Ann Arbor location is now closed, Kouzina Greek Street Food continues to operate its restaurant in Royal Oak and is still active with catering services.
The closure comes as court records reveal a dispute between Kouzina Ann Arbor LLC and its landlord, Ann Arbor Main Street Real Estate LLC. According to documents from the 15th District Court, the landlord initiated legal action due to unpaid rent and other lease-related fees. An invoice dated November 8th detailed outstanding payments for September and October rent, alongside late fees, water utility, and solid waste bills. The total amount owed by Kouzina Greek Street Food to its landlord reached $39,239.61.
On November 28th, Chief Judge Karen Quinlan Valvo ruled in favor of Ann Arbor Main Street Real Estate LLC, granting them the right to reclaim the property. The ruling stipulated that Kouzina Greek Street Food was obligated to pay the outstanding amount or vacate the premises by Friday, December 8th. The closure appears to be a direct result of this legal decision and the financial strain of the unpaid rent.
Bobby Laskaris, the owner of Kouzina Greek Street Food, attributed the Ann Arbor location’s closure to several factors. Speaking about the situation, Laskaris cited the high rent costs associated with the South Main Street property as a significant burden. He also pointed to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption caused by road closures in the downtown Ann Arbor area as contributing factors that impacted the restaurant’s viability.
Despite the setback in Ann Arbor, Laskaris expressed hope for the future of Kouzina Greek Street Food in the city. He stated his intention to seek a new location in Ann Arbor to continue serving the community. In the meantime, Kouzina Greek Street Food will focus on its catering services and its established Royal Oak restaurant, ensuring that fans of their Greek street food can still access their menu. While the Ann Arbor chapter of Kouzina Greek Street Food has closed, the story may not be over for this local eatery.
