Green dining is proving to be quite popular for the Motor City. Detroiters may have heard of restaurants like the Rattlesnake Club, the Golden Gate Café or even Avalon Bakery that are mindful of the environment in one way or another.
The current news around town, however, is that the beloved Slows BarBQ, which is a true gem of the Corktown neighborhood, is expanding and opening up a second location in the city to offer even more green dining opportunities for locals on the go.
Slows To Go, which will be located at the corner of Cass and Alexandria, is expected to open for business sometime this November, according to owner Phillip Cooley. The restaurant will be a carryout version of the well-known Slows on Michigan Ave with a slightly different menu.
From construction of the new building to everyday practices after opening, Slows To Go will display its “green” colors in a number of ways just like the original Slows location, Cooley said.
During the remodeling of the new restaurant, which is actually a rehabilitated historic building, the insulation of the facility was improved with the use of spray insulation. In addition, reclaimed lumber was used for all finish work. All of the old windows were even replaced with new insulated ones to help with efficiency.
Slows To Go will also practice a number of green initiatives on a daily basis after opening by using foods that are environmentally responsible and takeout containers made from biodegradable materials, as well as by recycling various materials on a regular basis.
In addition, Cooley also said he hopes to be able to install a digester in the facility within the next year in order to be even more eco-conscious, which he believes is an important part of owning a business.
“We believe that in order to be a successful business, we need a happy, healthy community, and environmental consciousness is a part of that,” Cooley said. “We want to be here long-term and we want to be sustainable.”
Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer and Public Relations, GreeningDetroit.com
Jennifer is pursuing a degree in Journalism and English from Wayne State University, and she is also a Contributing Writer for The South End.
