The Cheesecake Factory
A few days back my friend and I were having lunch at The Cheesecake Factory located in Woodland Hills, California. We were approached by the marketing coordinator for the restaurant chain and she asked if we didn't mind her taking a picture of us for their website. Of course we agreed I mean we love The Cheesecake Factory, her offering us complimentary cheescake didn't hurt either. While I had her there I asked the question that many of Detroit natives ask, "why isn't there a Cheesecake factory in Michigan?". She informed us that she was responsible for establishing the first 30 Cheesecake Factories all over the country, but Detroit has never been on the list. She also told us that ironically the original Cheesecake Factory started in Detroit, Michigan. Wow!
The owners are originally from Detroit, Michigan and the original restaurant started in 1949. Evelyn Overton began making cheesecakes for her husband Oscar business associates and opened a bakery in a finished basement in her Detroit home. The business ran in Detroit for 20 years. In 1967 their son David left Michigan for Law school in California and in 1971 he convinced his parents to move the restaurant to Los Angeles, Ca. The first commercial bakery opened in North Hollywood, Ca and now there all over the country, accept Michigan of course. The owner has said that he will never open a Cheesecake Factory in Detroit. Well, I did convince the marketing coordinator that Somerset mall would be perfect for a Cheesecake factory or even downtown Detroit, so she decided to email her colleagues about a Michigan location. She seemed pretty excited about the idea after informing her that Oakland County is in the top 5 list for the richest county in the country. I don't know, but maybe Michigan might see a Cheesecake Factory in the next 5 years or so. You guys can thank me for that; HA! Until then the closest is in Chicago, Illinois, 4 hours away.
