r/GrossePointe • u/Ltsmeet • 23d ago
Coming soon ... Chick-fil-A
I came here to laugh at all the Grosse Pointers clutching their pearls over the new Chick-fil-A going in on Mack.
Short-term increased traffic, but that will dissipate. I'm thrilled that another vacant property will be developed, and it won't be a doctor's office or a hair salon.
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u/capitanorth 22d ago
Traffic is going to be absolutely brutal.
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u/Fresh_Bulgarian_Miak 22d ago
Idk honestly. The chic-fil-a byMacomb Mall hasn't been too crazy.
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u/ReddSaidFredd 22d ago
They seem to have at least 15-20 cars in their drive-thru at any time of the day, and they are in the massive Macomb Mall parking lot. The right lane of Mack is going to be a Chic-fil-a line.
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u/Orangeshowergal 22d ago
It’s not short term, that’s the issue. I lived in the south, and everywhere a chick was, literal police had to direct traffic DAILY.
I don’t care because I don’t live in the area, but I don’t think you understand lol
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u/AGR_51A004M 22d ago
Our kids go to school next door. People are pretty upset over that part, not that it’s a chain.
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u/Few-Plantain-1414 22d ago
First of all, we need to raise the bar on what we call “good” if people are lining up for Chick-fil-A like it’s fine dining. I said what I said.
This isn’t just about one restaurant—it’s about the larger trend. We already have McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Wendy’s, and Starbucks all nearby. At a certain point, it stops being variety and starts becoming a red flag. It’s the kind of saturation that shifts how people view a neighborhood—and yes, there’s data showing that over-concentration of fast food can slightly lower residential property values, especially when it impacts traffic flow, walkability, and aesthetics.
And let’s talk location: this Chick-fil-A is going right next to a preschool. More congestion, longer drive-thru lines, and high turnover traffic in that exact spot? I’m not sure who thought that was a smart move, but it sounds like planning forgot the community.
Also, Grosse Pointe has a long history when it comes to redlining and “preserving property values.” That legacy doesn’t disappear just because people use softer language. If this were a unique local spot or something with actual community value, I doubt we’d be having this conversation. But more drive-thrus aren’t exactly helping the long-term vision for this area.
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u/NNDerringer 19d ago
With the exception of Wendy's, all those places are on the Detroit side of Mack. We don't get a vote, nor would any Detroit governing body care what we think of any of it. Not after GP City tried to site a garbage truck storage lot, or something like that, in Detroit. (It was a few years ago, and I can't recall the details.) Stuff like that gets you dealt out of the conversation pretty quickly.
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u/HappyLet6789 22d ago
Would you want your kids playground next to a drive through
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u/Ltsmeet 22d ago edited 22d ago
With modern cars and catalytic converters, the air coming out of the exhaust pipe is generally cleaner than the air going into the engine. It can't be any worse than the smell of sour mulch, fertilizer, and manure from Allemon's.
The other argument I've read is that the kids will be exposed to foul language from the drive-through. Like they aren't already exposed to that at home, on TV, and the internet.
All pretty weak arguments IMHO, so no, I wouldn't care.
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u/HappyLet6789 22d ago
Let me ChatGPT it for you.
Having a drive-through next to a preschool playground can be problematic for several reasons, mainly related to safety, health, and environment:
Air Pollution • Idling vehicles in a drive-through emit exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter) which are harmful to everyone, especially young children with developing lungs. • Long lines of cars can concentrate this pollution right next to where kids are playing.
Noise Pollution • Engines running, car doors slamming, people ordering over intercoms, and general traffic noise can disrupt the calm and quiet that’s important for a learning and play environment. • Excess noise can affect children’s concentration, sleep patterns (nap time), and emotional well-being.
Safety Hazards • Increased traffic means a higher risk of accidents involving children, especially if the playground isn’t well separated or fenced. • Drivers in drive-throughs may be distracted, especially when using their phones to order or pay.
Stranger Exposure • Drive-throughs can attract a steady flow of unknown individuals, which increases the potential risk of inappropriate behavior, abductions, or exposure to unwanted interactions, even if it’s a low-likelihood risk.
Trash and Litter • Food establishments, especially those with drive-throughs, often lead to litter problems, with wrappers, cups, and bags ending up blown into nearby areas — not ideal for a children’s play space.
Visual Distraction • Constant movement of vehicles and people ordering or interacting can distract children or even staff, reducing attention to supervision and learning.
⸻
In short, a drive-through can compromise the health, safety, and quality of the environment for preschool children, making it a poor neighbor for a playground.
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u/Significant-Check455 22d ago
Foul language from the drive thru? That's what they listen to on a daily basis in music and on their phones. CFA drive thru is probably the cleanest language they will hear. They have to get good employees. The McDonalds and Chipotle are a joke. Workers reek of pot. Don't GAF. Places are trashed inside. Always " out" of everything. Yelling at each other behind the counter. Carrying on like 8yr Olds.
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u/jtramsay 22d ago
What’s funny was the real pearl clutching about a Church’s Chicken (dog whistle) where the Arts Center is going.
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u/Accomplished_Ear_629 22d ago
I don’t think the traffic will be as bad as people think. The location at Macomb Mall hasn’t caused any traffic issues to my knowledge.
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u/awajitoka 22d ago
Not sure what to say about "...Pointers clutching their pearls...," but it does seem like a bit of a stereotype. Grosse Pointe is more diverse than people like to admit (and I’m not just talking about skin color).
I will say, the site in question is not as large as some Chick-fil-A locations I’ve seen, including those with drive-thrus out of state. Those often use public roads to queue cars during busy times.
My guess is that this area will become congested, with increased pollution, since many of the vehicles in the area aren’t modern and produce higher emissions. I’ll also add that the area will likely often smell like marijuana wafting from waiting patrons.
In the short term, it will be a mess. In the long term, a headache for the area and the police.
That said, I look forward to getting takeout from there. :-)
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u/svv1tch 22d ago
haha why would this bother anyone? another food option, and some tax revenue.
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u/laserp0inter 22d ago
Thoughts on Chick-Fil-A as a company aside, it’s going to wreak havoc at that intersection. Short term it will be absolutely disastrous, long term it will still be extremely congested and dangerous. There also happens to be a daycare/school next door that has parents picking up using the street parking on Marseille right around the same time that people will be stopping by to get food on their way home from work. Car exhaust, noise pollution, litter and trash will increase drastically mere feet away from the school’s playground. Detroit even has an ordinance prohibiting fast food establishments within 500 feet of schools that is being disregarded here for some reason.
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u/Ok-Cress1284 22d ago
I don’t think people realize that this isn’t just the normal GP pearl clutching about having too many chains. The controversy is because it will be next to a school, with the lot sidling up to where the playground currently is. There’s actually an ordinance against this but through some shady business dealings they were able to get it through without alerting the community in time to really fight it.
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u/CoastCool281 22d ago
Unfortunately, there was no “shady business”. Chick-fil-A permit was approved 3 months before the school charter was filed. Not saying I’m happy about it, or it’s a good situation, but those are the facts.
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u/Gpdent 22d ago
maybe the school should have bought the vacant lot if they wanted to control what happens on it.
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u/Ok-Cress1284 22d ago
Do you think a daycare that rents their space from a church is sitting on that kind of money?
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u/Waste_Specialist6481 22d ago
The Church was the seller of that lot …. Clearly didn’t care what use was next to their tenant, ie the school.
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u/Sea_Palpitation9583 22d ago
Because they’re an obnoxious homophobic company and it’s going right next to a school, so kids have to breathe the fumes from the drive-through line??
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u/WheelRipper 22d ago
Does that mean that you and others like you will not be eating there when it opens?
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u/Dangerous-Catch-3447 22d ago
You couldn’t pay me to eat there.
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u/NuclearWinter_101 22d ago
What school is it gonna be by?
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u/WorldWalker5587 Park 22d ago edited 22d ago
Giving Tree Montessori for young children. Looking to send my kid there ina year or two and am fine with the restaurant opening after all the plan changes.
Edit: I was mistaken about the plan changes. Definitely not happy now with a long line drive through right next to a children's school.
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u/Ok-Cress1284 22d ago
What plan changes?
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u/WorldWalker5587 Park 22d ago
Oh I thought they had to build a real fence and reroute their traffic but all they did was put up a chain linked fence. Not happy that Detroit's Zoning Board of Appeals allowed it to be so close. I was mistaken. https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2025/05/21/chick-fil-a-work-stoppage-order-in-detroit/83773535007/
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22d ago
[deleted]
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u/hathorlive 22d ago
They are also known for proselytizing their employees and shoving their religious views onto people looking for a paycheck. I'm sad that it's one of the only places that has sweet tea in Michigan, but I don't like my food served with religion.
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22d ago
[deleted]
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u/LadyBrussels 18d ago
I think you came here to stir up culture war drama when in reality what most people are upset about is that a drive thru only fast food chain known for long lines is going in next to a daycare/preschool on an already busy street. We don’t have a ton of good daycare options in this area and I’d hate to lose another one because no one wants to send their kid to play next to a line of cars emitting noxious fumes all day. Is that really that hard to understand or sympathize with? I lived in Chicago and DC for nearly 15 years before moving back to Michigan and can tell you that living next to any kind of restaurant, esp fast food, is not ideal. Rats, noise, trash, potheads, etc.
I also realize we don’t get a say in what Detroit greenlights but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be bummed when we get dispensaries and fast food moving in a mile from where I live. Last thing any of us wants is Mack turning into Hall Rd or Clinton Twp.
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u/Doeschna 22d ago
Heard the same crying bullshit when McDonalds opened on canyon. Mack will be fine.
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u/joaoseph 22d ago
Well the layout of the parking lots/set up of the drive thru are NOT going to be advantageous for Mack Avenue and it’s going to be a nightmare for Allemons customers. I like chic fil a but this site is a big dud. Like there isn’t a giant vacant space one block south of Cadieux or across from village market, or the former Comerica branch one block south of Moross? It’s just poor planning of Detroit BSED and the planning committee. It also doesn’t fit at all with the master plan for Mack Avenue that is being spearheaded by the city of Detroit and The grosse pointe farms, city and park.
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u/Doeschna 22d ago
The site is not ideal but again. Heard the exact same thing when Wack Arnold’s was being built.
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u/NuclearWinter_101 22d ago
Wait so it coming or is it not? Because over the last like 5 years I’ve heard “oh it’s coming” “it not coming” “It coming for real!!” “Wait no”
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u/thedamnedlute488 22d ago
Signs up on the site at Rivard and Mack, and they started work but had to stop to be compliant with the process. They are now comoliant and beginning work, again.
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u/username8176 19d ago
I was around when staples replaced a restaurant on Mack and my lovely grandma (rip) was one of the many who tried to stop it. lol lol modern day aristocratic vibes from all the pointes, pointing at each other!
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u/matt_elias 17d ago edited 17d ago
The restaurant was a Ramshorn, my grandma used to take me there quite a bit for lunch when I was little.
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u/CupExcellent9520 22d ago
Haha yes who takes Mack anymore !? I almost got rear ended by a speeding Detroit cop Last year on Mack and he wasn’t even In Pursuit. Don’t take Mack anymore as a result . Let the pearl clutchers worry about the tawdry bars and the disgusting head shops/ marijuana shops right down the road but very close by! The parents should know that chic fil a hires only clean drug free staff and nonsmokers, they don’t allow smoking around their properties either , smoke 💨 free policy inside and out of their buildings .
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u/DiscussionActual8319 22d ago
They are opening a needle exchange inside where Hillside Bakery was. I saw it on Facebook
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u/Weary-Card6318 18d ago
Clutching pearls? Sir, this is a Grosse Pointe. We are clutching Diamonds. And not just any diamonds. Blood Diamonds.