Detroit may get its first Applebee's

In the latest sign of economic rebound, Detroit could soon be getting its first Applebee's restaurant.

The proposed Applebee's would be built at the corner of 8 Mile and Woodward in the new Gateway Marketplace shopping center that is anchored by a Meijer superstore.

Construction could begin in June (pending land-use approvals), and the location could open before year's end, according to Mark Schostak, executive chairman of TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants, which will be opening and operating the restaurant.

Schostak said the Applebee's would be the first national casual-dining chain in Detroit outside of the central business district.

The restaurant would employ more than 100 salaried and hourly-level workers.

The Gateway Marketplace center opened in 2013 and is considered a great success, drawing shoppers from Ferndale and Royal Oak as well as Detroit. In addition to Meijer, the center includes a Five Below, Footlocker, Marshalls, Petco and Starbucks, among other stores.

The Five Below store is said to be the discount retailer's top-producing location in Michigan.

In 2012 Team Schostak bought all 65 Applebee's in Michigan and has since added new locations in Southfield and Livonia.