SPOTLIGHT: Bob Denvir, District Market Manager, Business Student
This story originally appeared on The District Detroit's website.
Bob Denvir has operated his own restaurant in Chicago, ran a bar in a top tourist district, dabbled in the mortgage loan industry and worked as a stay-at-home dad. Today, the Detroit transplant and working father helps manage the District Market restaurant at Little Caesars Arena and studies at the neighboring Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University.
Denvir’s journey in The District Detroit started in arena concessions, where he supervised employees and managed operations during busy games, concerts and shows at the award-winning venue. He later moved on to District Market after being promoted to the assistant manager position at the food hall, which features a full-service bar, craft beer and four delectable food stations.
During the day, he’s running the front of the house, which ranges from managing employees and upholding high customer service standards to promoting special events, like the annual Thanksgiving parade. “People come in here and they’re amazed by this great arena. This is not concession food; this is closer to gourmet food than concessions,” Denvir said.
At night, he’s learning about business. His favorite class to date, with expert and professor Dr. Hugo DeCampos, taught him about global supply chain management and “opened his eyes to manufacturing.” At the recommendation of his professors—frequent visitors at the District Market—Denvir is now concentrating in Finance and is exploring MBA studies in Economics.
The Chicago native moved to Detroit area, the hometown metropolis of his wife—a Grosse Pointe Farms native— in 2013. In Illinois, he had operated his own casual American restaurant and later managed the Bar Millennium (now known as Mbar) at Millennium Station, right in the center of Chicago’s bustling North Michigan Avenue tourist attraction.
Once in Michigan, Denvir attempted a career in real estate, as a Mortgage Loan Originator, before moving on to pursue his academic goals. He had started undergrad in the 1990s and later abandoned his studies to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. In 2018, he earned an associate’s degree at Macomb Community College, where he graduated with a perfect G.P.A.
The new Detroit-area resident said he has come to enjoy all the city has to offer, whether it’s a new restaurant or his daily drive along Mack Avenue.
“I think I got here right at the right time,” said Denvir, who enjoys reading about the city’s history.
In his spare time, Denvir volunteers with a veteran support group founded by a local combat veteran. The collective focuses on assisting veteran survivors of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and helping them claim their hard-earned benefits.
He also enjoys traveling throughout the Midwest, cooking, playing the guitar, watching movies and spending time with family, including his son and two dogs.
