The owners of Haiku, the well-known Japanese establishment in the Short North neighborhood, say the restaurant is closing after 18 years in business.
Short North director of development Steve Schoeny says that back when the Short North was an up-and-coming neighborhood, the restaurant was an anchor for development on the corner of Hubbard and High. He says it became an institution.
"You find a lot of people who think of Haiku as the first place you got to go to... get sushi and Japanese food in Columbus," Schoeny says.
In a written statement, Haiku owner Paul Lui said the choice to close the restaurant was not easy.
"My wife Julie and I have put a lot of work in to this restaurant and the community over the years," Lui wrote. "As owners, we have a bittersweet feeling about this move, but in the end it is for the greater good."
The last day of business is December 10, 2016. The site will be redeveloped into a boutique hotel and office space.
Lui has not decided whether to reopen the restaurant elsewhere.
