Bobcat Bonnie’s at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township closes suddenly

The owner of Bobcat Bonnie’s, a popular local chain of restaurants has closed its Partridge Creek location.

Owner Matt Buskard announced the closing in a Facebook message to customers on Sunday, writing that the “time has come for Bobcat Bonnie’s Partridge Creek to move on.”

“We could give a million negative reasons as to why we are here but there’s no point!” the post continued.

Instead, Buskard shifted to the positives of coming to the mall, quickly moving into the space formerly occupied by a Max and Erma’s restaurant, overcoming challenges that included the pandemic and inheriting a staff of “an amazing group of humans."

While no specific reason was given for the closing, Buskard wrote "We are grateful for our time at Partridge Creek Mall and are excited for whatever takes over that space next."

Bobcat Bonnie’s Partridge Creek in Clinton Township location opened in mid-February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID gave us a ton of challenges — but forced us to grow — we had some amazing years,” Buskard wrote.

With the Partridge Creek location closing, Buskard wrote, that staff will move to other locations and “some may move on, but either way we will ensure they are taken care of.”

Buskard opened the first Bobcat Bonnie’s on Michigan Avenue in Corktown nine years ago. He grew the restaurant, known for being a hip and colorful place, to seven locations in Michigan. Others are in Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Wyandotte and Ypsilanti.

Highlights of the menu are its shareables of fried Brussels sprouts and fried goat cheese, burgers, sandwiches, salads and a variety of entrees. It is known for special menu days, such as its Burger Mondays and its all-day happy hour on Thursdays. Bobcat Bonnie’s also offers brunch with an extensive menu of breakfast items and savories, plus its signature cocktails.

Buskard’s portfolio of restaurants also includes the Fly Trap, which he acquired in February 2022. More recently, Buskard opened Scout Vester in the former M Brew spot in Ferndale.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bobcat Bonnie’s at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township closes suddenly