Beloved Restaurant Closes After 25 Years in Business
A popular sushi restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, shut its doors earlier this year following 25 years of service.
According to Lillian Hamman of Main Street Daily News, Ichiban Sushi, which was located on 4928 NW 39th Ave. and served Japanese, Pacific Rim and Chinese food, is one of six Gainesville spots to close in 2025.
The decision came months after the restaurant was temporarily closed in December due to several inspection violations.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division Hotels and Restaurants made the decision to temporarily close the store on Dec. 18, and follow-up inspections were failed, as well.
The biggest violations included restaurant employees preparing food without washing their hands, and about 20 live roaches were found.
Other violations included mold and black stains on food-contact surfaces, unlabeled chemical bottles, food being improperly thawed or stored on the floor, utensils sitting in standing water and standing water in the bottom of the reach-in cooler.
Taking over the former Ichiban Sushi spot will be the Sohao Cafe. The restaurant already has one location in Gainesville.
Ichiban Sushi isn't the only restaurant to close in the Gainesville area this year. Applebee's Bar and Grill, Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Subway, TGI Friday's and Wahoo Seafood Grill have also closed their doors.
Related: Beloved Restaurant Making Comeback After 32-Year Absence