Cracker Barrel Updating Decor in Michigan: Fans Not Happy

There are some things you don't change in Michigan. The Detroit Tigers logo, the Goodyear Tire, and the down-home welcoming atmosphere of Cracker Barrel. Yet, that beloved beacon of chicken-fried steak and breakfast served anytime has done the unthinkable.

They've ditched the cluttered country-store decor for a shiny, white-walled modern farmhouse vibe, and old-timers aren't having it.

What’s Changing at Michigan Cracker Barrels?

Look, I haven't personally been to a Cracker Barrel in years (making me part of the problem), but knowing that I'll no longer sit under sharp farming implements dangling on the walls and ceiling above me is unsettling.

The point is that, no matter how life changed or how many things changed, Michigan's Cracker Barrels were the one place where time seemed to stand still.

It looked like your great-aunt’s living room had swallowed an entire antique store. It was glorious.

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Why Did Cracker Barrel Decide to Modernize?

But, according to their CEO, speaking with Men's Journal, Cracker Barrel was "not relevant" anymore and needed a facelift to catch up to today's world. According to the Wall Street Journal, they went and whitewashed the entire personality right out of 40 of its 600 locations, with the rest slated to receive the same treatment, including Michigan's locations.

Will Michigan Diners Still Love Cracker Barrel?

If there is a silver lining, in an interview with Country Living, a Cracker Barrel maintenance worker noted that some of the changes, such as removing the lattice and painting the walls white, will help improve the overall cleanliness of the restaurant chain, as spotting messes was tough due to the farm-like decor.

I guess as long as I can still get biscuits soaked in gravy, I can tolerate the changes. Just don't take away those little syrup bottles. They make me feel like a giant.

Inside Jackson, Michigan's Long Vacant Gilbert's Steakhouse

Listed by Griffin Properties of Detroit, Jackson, Michigan's former Gilbert's Steakhouse has sat empty since 2006, waiting for someone to reboot this iconic restaurant. Let's look at what it looks like today, nearly two decades since the last plate of garlic bread was placed on a table.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

5 Things New Residents Don't Understand About Michigan

Every state has its quirks; Michigan is no exception. But once you learn that despite your allegiance to U of M or MSU, we all loath Ohio State, there are a few more lessons you'll need to master before truly embedding yourself as a true Mitten State native. Here are 5 Things New Residents Don't Understand About Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow