Behind the graffiti-tagged plywood on the 2700 block of Welton Street, work is underway to bring a new sushi restaurant to Five Points.
Kuni Sushi was originally expected to open this summer next to Spangalang Brewery, but construction delays have pushed the project back, a partner with the restaurant told Denverite on Monday.
"We've pushed back the opening to the fall," said Matt Smith of Denver. "We're holding off any press until we get every thing squared away there."
Smith is one of the people behind Kuni LLC along with Barry J. Dobesh of Aspen. Dobesh opened the seasonal community restaurant Abejas in downtown Golden in 2015. A third partner, the majority owner of the venture, is also working on the project. Smith withheld his name and said it would be shared later.
Kuni is moving into 2752 Welton St. where a barber shop, The Sandwich Shop and C and B Cleaners & Hatters used to be located. Denver-based Welton 2748 LLC purchased the 103-year-old building for $766,500 in March 2016, according to city records.
VanWest Partners is likely behind the LLC. The Denver-based real estate firm said it acquired the building where Kuni is slated to go in because of the "rapid growth taking place in the immediate/surrounding area."
"We have delivered the space, and they are doing tenant finish now," said Forrest Bassett, director of commercial brokerage at VanWest.
The Welton Street Corridor is seeing rapid redevelopment with hundreds of new housing units coming and some restaurants and stores following. Earlier this year, the sour beer bar Goed Zuur opened catercorner from where Kuni is planned.
Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.
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