WASABI! MAY LEAVE DOWNTOWN AREA; POSSIBLY LINCOLN.

Restaurants Move to Make Way for Downtown Development

As part of the City's plan for redevelopment of the SW corner of 14th & Q streets, Wasabi! & The Taste of China restaurants are being forced to vacate the area by April 30 th . Taste of China owner Chan Hua settled his dispute with the city recently, and was compensated in the sum of $730,000. Hua has stated that The Taste of China restaurant is planning to rebuild in South Lincoln near 14th & Old Cheney, abandoning Downtown altogether.

Wasabi! owner Rob Burns is also reconsidering the company's previous plan to re-locate the popular establishment within the Downtown/Lincoln area. As a non-owning tenant on the property, Wasabi! is entitled to basic moving expenses up to 50 miles from the current location and limited to a $10,000 reimbursement of costs associated with the build-out of a new location and move such as loss of business, advertising the new location, etc. These funds, while helpful, leave the project about $75,000 short according to Burns.

Without added support from the City of Lincoln and the addition of necessary funds, Wasabi! may be forced to consider other alternatives.

Burns is currently weighing offers from potential investors in Omaha for a SW Omaha location, while some potential local supporters are encouraging a SE Lincoln move. However, Burns did express high hopes for Downtown redevelopment plans, stating "I am hopeful the City can find a way to help us overcome the extra challenges we have identified in Downtown Lincoln." Adding his heart felt desire to keep the establishment local.

“Wasabi! is extremely popular with traveling business people, local residents, university faculty, staff, and students alike. We would miss the clients and relationships we have developed if we were forced to leave Downtown.”

The City of Lincoln has notified Wasabi! that it take possesion of its current location on May 1. While considering a location for a permanent home, Wasabi! will temporarily co-locate with its sister restaurant, Phreddie's Phillies just south of 14th & O Streets.