When Robert Encarnacion moved to Detroit in 2019, he saw opportunity where others didn’t. “It was a crazy idea, but I knew Detroit was a place full of opportunity,” he has said of the decision. “I wanted to create a space that showcased my background and my culture.” He purchased a vacant building on Kercheval Avenue from the Detroit Land Bank in 2021 and spent years navigating a challenging renovation to bring his vision to life.
That vision is now a thriving businesses under one roof in West Village: La Fonda Street, serving fast-casual Latin American street food, and Encarnación Café, a espresso-forward morning spot. La Fonda Street opened in the summer of 2024 and quickly built a following around dishes like the Dominican Bowl and $2 Taco Tuesdays, landing the No. 4 spot on the Detroit Free Press’s 2025 list of Top 10 New Restaurants & Dining Experiences.
Invest Detroit supported the project alongside Motor City Match and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), helping Encarnación transform a long-vacant building into a gathering space for the neighborhood. Located across from another Invest Detroit-supported development, the project reflects a broader commitment to clustered investment and minority-owned entrepreneurship along the corridor.
Project Name: La Fonda Street
Borrower Name: Robert Encarnacion
Project Location: (West Village) — 8016 Kercheval Ave
Project Type: Small Business / Restaurant
Project Partners: Motor City Match, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
Jobs: 6
Size: 1,377 square feet
Technical Assistance: 6 hours
Capital: Small Business