Jordan's on the River

While I never went there, I remember passing this business all of the time when I was in Rosedale Park. I decided to look a little deeper into the history of this business.  I had no idea that it was in business for such a long period of time.

The owner of the business for 49 years, was Jordan Ristich. He was born in 1905 in Bitola, Macedonia and passed away in August of 2004 in Northville, Michigan.  In 1921, Mr. Ristich was sent by his parents to live with friends in Windsor, Ontario.  He eventually ended up working for Ford Motor Company and then opened his first restaurant across from the Ford Rouge plant. He married his wife, Paraska, who was also from Macedonia.

Jordan Ristich

In 1926, he opened his main restaurant, named Rosedale Lunch, located at Grand River and Fenkell. Mr. Ristich was known within the Detroit community as a person who was willing to help fellow immigrants find work. After the end of prohibition in December of 1933, the restaurant applied for and was given a license to serve alcohol and became "Jordan's Bar & Restaurant." Eventually, Mr. Ristich changed the name of the restaurant to "Jordan's on the River," named not for being near an actual river, but for being on "Grand River Avenue." Mr. Ristich apparently sold the business in 1975 and continued in the restaurant business to some degree in Plymouth.  I was unable to find out online who he sold the business to. 

From what I could find, it looks like Jordan's had great steak sandwiches and hamburgers and was a regular hangout for Rosedale residents. There are numerous stories of margaritas and a waitress named Annette. Here is a great story on National Public Radio about Mr. Ristich around 1944. Jordan's continued on until the mid-2000s or so (2007 or so I believe) and was closed.  If anyone has information on this apparent institution, please comment and I will revise it later.

Rosedale Park International House of Pancakes

By John Berry

I remember vividly frequenting the International House of Pancakes located at 19505 Grand River in Rosedale Park, mostly in the late 1970s and early 1980s. My favorites were the chocolate chip pancakes and/or the hame and cheese omelette. It has long since gone, but it was a great place to eat and was always crowded.  I remember that this IHOP ran an NFL promotion on magnetic team helmets. I think I collected most of them.

Before IHOP, the location, according to newspapers, was a gas station in 1952 through to the building of the IHOP. A business called Garland's Speedway Service occupied the location in 1961-1962.

Traditional IHOP sign 1970s

The IHOP in Rosedale Park opened around 1967 and was part of a nationwide push to open IHOP restaurants.

1967 Hiring Ad

The last article I found showed that the location was in business as late as 1992. I moved out of the area in 1993 so I am uncertain when the location actually shut down.  Below are some more recent pictures of the location.  Apparently, the location became George's Restaurant for a period of time after that. The building appears (please comment if something has opened up) to be vacant right now.

Rosedale Quality Market

By John Berry

Found an old business that existed as of 1948, the Rosedale Quality Market.  It was located at 19646 Grand River Avenue in Rosedale Park.  This business was apparently sold in 1951.

I was unable to find a location with this address today, so my guess is that it was torn down at some point after it was sold.  It is close to Grand River and Bretton Drive.  A photo of the area it would have existed is here:

If anyone has any information on this business or what become of it, please post.