Sources: Buddy's Pizza eyeing downtown Detroit location

Buddy’s Pizza, the original Detroit-style pizza brand that has been in the Motor City since 1946 may soon claim its first-ever presence in a rebounding downtown.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed that Buddy’s was in talks with Dan Gilbert's Bedrock real estate company to secure the ground-level restaurant space in the M@dison Building formerly occupied by Angelina Italian Bistro.

Angelina closed at the end of 2017 after a protracted and public dispute with Bedrock over rising rents.

Not long after the Angelina closure, Buddy’s announced an ambitious national expansion plan with the support of New York-based private investment firm CapitalSpring.

Buddy’s CEO Robert Jacobs hinted at the time that more Detroit stores could be added as part of the company’s expansion plans.

“This partnership is a significant opportunity for us to introduce Buddy’s iconic pizza, rich culture and community roots to new customers in Detroit and beyond,” Jacobs said then.

The sources, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the deal, said both sides were eager to complete the deal but that an agreement had not yet been reached.

Buddy's would not comment on this specific deal but sent the following statement from Chief Operating Officer Wes Pikula:

"Buddy's Pizza is exploring the possibility of opening a downtown Detroit location. Nothing excites us more than bringing the original Detroit-style pizza to the heart of the city."

Bedrock declined to comment.

If it comes to fruition, the new Buddy’s location would be a restaurant anchor in a high-visibility location near the sports stadiums, Detroit Opera House and Music Hall at the southern end of Grand Circus Park, sometimes referred to as the “gateway to downtown.”

There’s no lack of pizza options downtown, including numerous Neapolitan-style newcomers (Mercato at Press Room Cafe, La Lanterna) and at least two Chicago-style pizza outposts (Pizza Papalis, Giordano’s). Until now, however, Niki’s Pizza in Greektown has been one of only a few high-profile eateries offering Detroit-style pies downtown.

Contact Mark Kurlyandchik: 313-222-5026 or mkurlyandc@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mkurlyandchik and Instagram: curlyhandshake.