By Denise Allabaugh, Wilkes-Barre Citizzens Voice
WILKES-BARRE — Japanese restaurant Katana will close June 1 after 27 years in business in downtown Wilkes-Barre, one of the owners said Tuesday.
Teresa Ei, who owns the restaurant with her husband Takeshi Ei and partner Naoto Suzuki, said they are retiring.
“It’s kind of bittersweet. We’re going to miss our regular patrons,” Ei said. “It’s just time.”
They have been trying to sell the restaurant since 2016 and Ei said they had a few potential buyers but none followed through and it remains for sale.
The restaurant has two hibachi rooms and two sushi rooms. Customers enjoyed many authentic one-of-a-kind Japanese food items, Ei said.
Since the restaurant opened in 1992, it has expanded twice to accommodate increased volume.
The owners formerly leased their space at 41 S. Main St. in Midtown Village from Humford Equities. They have been leasing from Insalaco Development Group since it acquired Midtown Village from Humford Equities in 2014.
Twenty-two employees work at the restaurant, Ei said. Her husband is a chef with more than 45 years of experience with Japanese cuisine.
Ei’s message to the restaurant’s many loyal customers on Tuesday was, “Thank you for supporting us over the years and enjoying the products we put out.”
