Union Joints in Clarkston, which operates a collection of area restaurants, plans to open Union Assembly in September along Woodward Avenue in the Little Caesars World Headquarters building in downtown Detroit. The two-level restaurant will be located across Woodward from Comerica Park in The District Detroit.
The flagship restaurant and bar at Columbia Street and Woodward, which is now hiring for all positions, will feature an indoor/outdoor bar, a second-floor lounge, and a three-season terrace that overlooks Woodward and Comerica Park. Guests also can enjoy seasonal street-side patio dining on Columbia.
Union Assembly will host a job fair for the 350-seat (500 combined indoor/outdoor seating) restaurant between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, Sunday, Aug. 8, and Monday, Aug. 9. Apply in person at Union Assembly located at 2131 Woodward Ave. or online at joinjoints.com.
Owned by Curt Catallo and Ann Stevenson, along with managing partner Erich Lines, Union Joints is a 26-year-old independent restaurant group that owns and operates the Clarkston Union in Clarkston, Union General in Clarkston (store), Union Woodshop in Clarkston, Vinsetta Garage in Berkley, Fenton Fire Hall in Fenton, Pumphouse Custard, Honcho (with outposts at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Ford Field), Gran Castor in Troy, and Bunkhouse Burgers in Clarkston.
Union Assembly has recruited District Chef Mara Jaffe and Chef de Cuisine Philip Vernier to return to Michigan to lead Union Joints’ latest culinary endeavors. Chef Jaffe, a Roeper and Cornell hospitality program grad, is coming home after stints in Dubai, Nantucket, and California.
Chef Vernier is returning to Michigan after attending culinary school in Portland and overseeing myriad kitchens in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Union Joint co-owner Ann Stevenson designed the space, while Royal Oak-based von Staden Architects handled the multi-level architectural duties. The space features multi-tiered activations that allow for everything from cozy nook moments to large-scale private dining in a dedicated room with terrace access.
The menu will consist of new American offerings alongside longstanding staples like the Most-Macked Mac & Cheese and deck-fired Detroit style pies (pizzas) that use local provisions and ingredients. There also will fresh vegetarian and gluten free options.
The beverage program is being developed by Jeremy Bazely, who returns to Union Joints after two decades away with stints in Madison, Austin, and Brooklyn. The cocktail program will serve as a natural extension of the canned cocktails Joints launched during the COVID-19 era.
Union Assembly will be overseen by District Manager Shane Collier, who has spent 26 years with Union Joints, and Jessica Birdsey from Honcho in Clarkston, who will serve as general manager.
For more information on hiring, visit joinjoints.com or contact HR Lead Julie Lattanzi at 248-795-5064 or hr@unionjoints.com.
