Spangas Serves Last Coney Dog in Royal Oak

A Woodward Avenue dining destination closed Tuesday after doing business in Royal Oak since 1988, first as Spagos and later as .

A letter posted on the restaurant’s entrance Tuesday and signed by founder Tommy Droiss reads:

"We are forced to close this location. It has been a difficult and very emotional decision. This place has been a big part of our lives."

Spero Drosis, 29, the owner's youngest of three sons, said the decision to close was very tough. , , , and have all recently opened near Spangos, creating new competition for hungry customers in the Woodward corridor.

"Sometimes you have to take one step back, before you can take two steps forward," he said.

Drosis said the family plans to make a comeback without giving any specifics about what they have planned, only saying, "anything is possible with hard work and a little patience."

"We've made a lot of friends (in Royal Oak), especially with the police and fire departments, over the past 23 years," Drosis said, referring to the note on the door from his father, which offers special thanks "to all the police officers who made us feel safe with their presence around this area over the years, especially those long nights."

Royal Oak residents can look for something new in the area from the Drosis family in 2012.

"I began busing tables (in Royal Oak) when I was 13. We know all those people. We can't stay away from everybody too long," he said.