Flat Top Grill Closes at The Village; What Should Take its Place?

Flat Top Grill, the build-your-own-stir-fry restaurant that opened 16 months ago at the Village of Rochester Hills, closed its doors this week.

The Rochester Hills location was one of two Flat Tops in Michigan; the other location, in Ann Arbor, is still open, according to the company's website. 

"Unfortunately, we had to close our restaurant in Rochester Hills. It was a difficult decision due to economic factors," said Jillian Beard, Flat Top marketing director, in an email message to Patch.

The restaurant opened September 2011 in the two spaces at the outdoor shopping center formerly occupied by Baja Fresh and California Closets. Flat Top served lunch and dinner; a full bar was located inside the restaurant.

This is the second restaurant to close at The Village in the past month; Maggie Moo's closed Dec. 31. Since fall, two restaurants have opened at The Village: Noodles and Company and Subway. Yummie Yogurt, a family-owned soft-serve yogurt shop, will open in May across from the gazebo at The Village.

On Thursday morning, dozens of Patch readers reacted to news of the closing on Facebook.

"Flat Top was the BOMB! My entire family loved that place and the abundance of sauce choices," wrote Blake Herder.

"I guess road construction cant be blamed here, eh?" wrote Joel Pritchard, referencing the closing earlier this week of Chapman's Mill, which owners blamed on ongoing construction on Crooks Road near the restaurant.

What restaurant do you want to see move into the former Flat Top Grill? Tell us in the comments; we'll make sure The Village hears you!