In October we reported the launch of The Plates of Joyy, twenty-one-year-old Leslie Tejada’s cupcake and dessert counter storefront in Briarwood Mall’s dining pavilion.
“I just feel like once people give me a chance, they won’t ever give up on me,” the Dominican Republic native and Lincoln High grad said at the time. However, her one-year lease allows the mall the option to bump her for another tenant, so—after investing about $5,000 in building it out—her last day in that space will be January 1.
Kelsey Luha, Briarwood’s director of marketing and business development, declines to identify who’s taking her place or otherwise comment on the transition.
Tejeda was led to believe that the mall would not make another space available, but they later offered her the former Surf City Squeeze corner spot near Von Maur. As of this writing she’s not sure whether she’ll accept it. Meanwhile, the young chef has launched an online crowdfunding appeal—gofund.me/d170b70d—to facilitate her reopening.
The Plates of Joyy, Briarwood Mall (food pavilion). Until Jan. 1: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. instagram.com/theplatesofjoyy
Got a retail or restaurant change? Email marketplace@aaobserver.com
This article has been edited since it was published in the January 2025 Ann Arbor Observer. After the issue went to press, Leslie Tejada was offered another space in Briarwood.
