Restaurant owner explains closing in Fairview Heights, move to a new southwest IL site
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that Wasabi in Fairview Heights closed Saturday evening after the day’s service.
You’ll also know that the popular sushi bar plans to reopen in O’Fallon.
Now I have some new information regarding the move.
I spoke to the restaurant’s owner, John Kim, this morning about the recent development.
Kim said the main reason for the move is to better serve their customers.
“Where would we be without our loyal customers?” said Kim, who also asks this question to his team members on a regular basis.
With in-restaurant dining closed due to COVID, the reason the business has weathered the storm is because of its customers.
“Our customers helped us” with take-out orders, curbside delivery, Kim said.
Another reason for the move is that the lease at the Fairview Heights location was up in November. Kim said the company was able to extend its lease through February, allowing time to move to the new location in O’Fallon.
“We’ve been in Fairview Heights a long time,” said Kim, but he views the move as an upgrade for his business.
As the O’Fallon/Shiloh area has developed and continues to grow, Kim feels that the placement of the new location in the Shops at Richland Creek will allow the restaurant to serve more people and to serve them better.
Kim said the new construction has been a challenge, what with supply shortages and all. He said they’re looking at the end of February for completion of construction of the new O’Fallon location.
Plans are to open in early March, not later than mid-March, said Kim.
When the restaurant moves to O’Fallon, “we will take our customers with us,” said Kim. They’ve been very loyal the last 10 years.
The new Wasabi location will be at 1124 Merchants Way, Suite 220, O’Fallon.
There are six other locations in the area, including one at 100 S. Buchanan St. in Edwardsville. The Edwardsville location can be reached by phone at 618-655-9880.
The other locations can be found at:
Cortex: 4239 Duncan Ave., St. Louis, Missouri. 314-731-8080.
Town & Country: 1066 Town & Country Crossing Drive, Town & Country, Missouri. 636-230-7400.
Clayton: 7726 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, Missouri. 314-721-9970.
St. Charles: 1650 Beal St., Suite 175, St. Charles, Missouri. 636-410-8110.
Kirkwood: 312 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, Missouri. 314-394-3390.
Hours vary by location. For more information, visit wasabisushibars.com.
