Cold Truth, a longtime vegan soft serve shop in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood, has announced it will close Aug. 30.
The news was shared in an Instagram post July 30, letting Cold Truth’s social media followers and customers know that after seven years in the space, the shop is closing its doors.
“We recently found out that the space was being advertised to find a new tenant,” the post reads. “We were then served notice to vacate by August 31st, right in the middle of our busy season.”
The post details that the Cold Truth team had been operating without a lease agreement, paying a month-to-month fee over the past two years. After being served the notice to vacate, the Cold Truth tenants allege they attempted to negotiate a new lease or an extension
to the closing date with the shop’s landlord but were “flatly rejected,” according to the post.
"We’re extremely grateful to the Detroit community for the support," Cold Truth owner Timothy Mahoney wrote in an email to the Free Press. "We are using all energy and brainpower to adjust and come back stronger."
The Free Press made multiple attempts to reach the landlord referenced in the Instagram post, to no avail. In 2021, Crain's Detroit Business reported the sale of The Auburn, the building that houses the ice cream shop. The building was purchased in a joint venture between Dynasty Investment Partners and New York-based Foundation Capital Partners from the Detroit-based real estate development and investment firm The Roxbury Group. Representatives of Dynasty Investment and Foundation Capital Partners did not respond to requests for comment made on July 30.
Though Essential Property Management manages the building, a representative of the company said Essential is not involved in leasing commercial spaces and therefor, had limited information on the closing.
"Midtown Detroit is in contact with the business owners to try to find a landing ground for them," said Melanie A. Markowicz, the executive director at Midtown Detroit Inc, an organization designed to bolster community engagement and economic development in Detroit's Midtown and New Center neighborhoods. "We are reaching out to meet with them to be able to help find a spot, keep them in Midtown and see what their needs are."
Cold Truth, which also has locations in Ann Arbor and Ferndale, has become known for a coconut cream base that gives whipped soft serve a dense, creamy texture. Guests can expect seasonal flavors, such as peach basil and fresh-squeezed lime. Of the many ice cream shops in metro Detroit, Cold Truth is one of only a few designed strictly for those with non-dairy preferences.
“This is a devastating blow as this location serves as the heart of our operation and we are currently trying to figure out what the future holds for Cold Truth,” the Instagram post says. “If you know of any opportunities out there, whether it’s a stand alone situation or a permanent popup, please DM us. Any leads would be appreciated.”
Cold Truth accepts direct messages on Instagram via the handle @coldtruthsoftserve. Its Ann Arbor and Ferndale locations will remain open.
Contact Detroit Free Press Dining and Restaurant Critic Lyndsay C. Green at: LCGreen@freepress.com. Follow @LadyLuff on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for extras and insider scoops on Detroit-area dining.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Popular Midtown ice cream spot Cold Truth to close in August
