Sentiments flow as Canton’s The Bowery closes after 50-year run

For its longtime regulars (and there are many), The Bowery was much more than a place to grab a bite to eat and down a beer or two.

“It was like the bar on the TV show ‘Cheers’,” said Westland resident Carl Moore, who has frequented Canton’s The Bowery since the late-90s. “You walk in and, like the song says, everybody knows your name. The owner Ron (Ayyash) made everybody feel right at home.”

Just before 11 p.m. on Aug. 5, the last draught was tapped inside The Bowery, ending a close-to-50-year run for the business.

Not surprisingly, business was brisk throughout The Bowery’s last day and night, as people congregated to share laughs and memories of the place that was a home away from home, of sorts, for its regulars.

Once The Bowery is demolished in the coming months, the property will be taken over by Bayt Al Mocha, a Michigan-based coffee shop franchise.

Memories will be cherished

While the walls of the beloved pub will be crashing down soon, the memories created inside the building at 41275 Ford Road in Canton will remain strong for its legion of loyal patrons.

“I’m sincerely going to miss every customer, every employee,” Ayyash said, hours before The Bowery closed for good. “Closing this place is bittersweet. I knew it was going to happen eventually, but I didn’t know when. Everything happened so fast.

“I consider myself a hands-on owner. Running the business got tougher after the pandemic … finding enough staff was tough. It’s been an amazing run. The last week has been insane from an emotional standpoint. I’ve shed some tears, but not in here. I’ve put on a good face for everyone.”

Family ties

The Bowery holds a special place in Ayyash’s heart for more than business reasons.

“I met my wife (Christina) here in 2009,” revealed Ayyash, who owned the business for 27 years. “The first time I saw her she was here with her friends, eating crab legs. I thought she was attractive and I tried for a year to get a date with her until she finally said yes. Now we have two daughters together.”

Ayyash’s kindness was often felt outside of his establishment’s walls, many regulars asserted.

“When the auto workers at the plant on Michigan Avenue went on strike, Ron would show up and feed the workers who were picketing,” said Westland resident Dwayne Walker. “He’d bring enough food that they could take some home for their kids.

“He was very charitable with veterans organizations, too. He’s just a great guy and this was a great place. You don’t find many places like this anymore, so when you do, you hang on to it.”

Old-school elegance

In many ways, everything about The Bowery’s character was old school — from its elegantly-carved ceiling tiles to its “Cheers”-esque bar and its dimly-lit interior.

But those are the things people are going to miss the most.

“The fact that it’s closing is difficult for me because visiting The Bowery was like my therapy,” quipped Tony “Taz” Ramirez. “Instead of visiting a regular therapist, I’d come here instead and meet friends, let loose a little.

“I met so many good friends in this place. I was with Ronnie the day he purchased it. I remember when he had a priest come in and bless it. Ron made everybody who walked through the doors feel comfortable.”

Community-minded owner

Ayyash sponsored championship-caliber slow-pitch softball teams, hosted trivia nights — whatever he could do to bring the community together.

“The thing I’m going to miss the most about this place is the hospitality Ron and his staff provided,” said 25-year regular Mike Randall, a resident of Canton. “A lot of us are saying, ‘Where are we going to go now?’ Nothing can compare to the memories we made inside these walls.”

Walker is saddened by the elimination of another Ford Road landmark.

“This building has so much history in it,” he said. “I mean, look at the architecture. We’re losing too many of these places.”

Offer too good to refuse

Ayyash said selling the property wasn’t on his things-to-do radar once 2026 rolled around.

“Earlier this year I received an offer that was really good … too good to turn down,” he said. “I knew when I bought this business it would be my retirement, something I could invest in. And that’s what it came down to.”

On the eve of The Bowery’s closing, Christina Ayyash enjoyed her last meal at the beloved business her husband operated.

And, fittingly, her final meal consisted of — what else? — crab legs.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.