Tin Fish Loss is The Cheesecake Factory's Gain

A Novi restaurant noted for its upscale atmosphere and live music quietly closed last week. And what's taking its place has already taken metro Detroit by storm. 

The Cheesecake Factory's first Michigan location will fill the vacancy left by Tin Fish, which celebrated its opening at Twelve Oaks Mall in June of 2010. Tin Fish's Patridge Creek Mall location, on Hall Road in Clinton Township, remains open. An employee who answered the phone there declined to comment on why the restaurant closed. 

Owners of the new restaurant expect to move in to the space, located between Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor adjacent to the mall's valet parking station, by the end of the year, Twelve Oaks marketing and sponsorship director Peggy Hayes said. 

Since metro Detroit news outlets heralded the Cheesecake Factory news on Feb. 22, she said, "we've heard so many stories" about folks excited to see it arrive. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu that includes more than 200 items and more than two dozen rich-sounding cheesecake flavors, like Godiva Chocolate and White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut, as well as low carb versions.

Hayes said she has heard from people who have been driving as far as Chicago to get their Cheesecake Factory fix. The chain's other "nearby" locations include Cleveland, OH and Indianapolis, IN. 

Jim Bieri, a principal with Stokas Bieri Real Estate, told the Detroit Free Press that real estate developers have tried to lure the popular restaurant for years. “It’s a bigger deal than normal because people have been trying to get them for so long," he said. 

Will the new restaurant draw more businesses to fill other spaces at Twelve Oaks? 

"We're very excited," Hayes said. "Any time you get anything new that does pique people's interest, we're anticipating it's going to be a very positive thing for everyone."