All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Restaurant Plans $700,000 South End Location

A new unlimited sushi spot will take over the former Lincoln's Haberdashery building at 1300 South Blvd. The $700,000 renovation launches Sushi Taku's first North Carolina location, expected to open by mid-April.

Chicago restaurant owners Tom Hui Li and Shiwei Zheng chose the South End location, which has been vacant since last October. Their team will completely renovate the space into a modern dining area.

“Charlotte has been a fast-growing city,” Li said to wsoctv.com. “We did a lot of research and Charlotte just seems to be a perfect market for us.”

Prices match those in Chicago: $24.99 for lunch, and $31.99 for dinner. Fresh-made Nigiri and sashimi dominate the menu, along with favorites like Dragon Roll and Crispy Roll.

The staff completed 12 weeks of training in Chicago, learning techniques to match the quality of the original location. Besides sushi, they serve hot appetizers, from crispy Gyoza to shrimp lollipops, plus steaming miso soup and fresh salads.

Dessert lovers can enjoy green tea ice cream and chewy mochi after their meal. Vegetarians have plenty of options too, with numerous meatless dishes available.

This isn't Zheng's first Charlotte business, he owns both Pho Good Time Asian Fusion and Fortune Cookie Chinese restaurants in the area. Local broker Sean Reymann helped secure the location.

The lively South End neighborhood attracted the owners with its blend of shops, restaurants, and steady foot traffic. They saw great potential in the location.

With plans for Raleigh in the future, the team wants to make a strong first impression. After opening, they plan to host community events and special offers to generate local interest.