Wasabi Sushi shuts down in Overland Park

Less than two years after opening in Overland Park’s Prairiefire, Wasabi Sushi Bar has closed.

The St. Louis sushi bar and Japanese restaurant chain had a 3,000-square-foot spot at 5621 W. 135th St.

“If you have the right product and service and marketing, usually it is going to work, and that didn’t,” said Fred Merrill Jr., developer of Prairiefire.

In a statement, Lynn Weller, the chief financial officer for Wasabi’s parent company, said: “Although we have continued to provide great sushi and Japanese cuisine to our customers at our Overland Park restaurant, we have been unable to meet our standards for atmosphere and ambiance due to a problem with an adjoining tenant.

We believe this is the landlord’s problem and we have given them over a year to satisfy our concerns. Nonetheless, the problem continues and we are regrettably left with no alternative other than to close our current location in the Kansas City area. “

The company thanked its customers and said it “looks forward to re-opening at another location in the Kansas City area in the future.”

Moon Wok opens in Lenexa

Wei Wu and his wife, Jueyu Wang, set up their Moon Wok restaurant in an area with a host of Chinese cuisine competitors.

But the couple are planning to set their restaurant apart by focusing on healthy ingredients like brown rice, fresh vegetables, white chicken meat, and vegetable oil. They even offer gluten-free menu items, as well as daily combo specials.

A month after opening at 12251 W. 87th St. Parkway in Lenexa — just west of Interstate 35 — their customers typically select standards like the General Tso’s Chicken, but also items like beef or chicken Chow Fun, shrimp toast and crispy calamari.

Moon Wok’s daily combo special — offered from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday — has been especially popular. Customers get a choice of 40 entrees, along with an egg roll and a crab Rangoon, and either white rice or fried rice for prices ranging from $4.95 to $6.25.

Wu came to the U.S. from Liaoning Province in northeastern China in 2007 and Wang in 2010. They met through Wu’s cousin and married three years ago. Wang’s aunt and uncle work in the kitchen.

“It’s a family operation so we keep labor costs down so we can offer good prices,” Wu said.

Coming to Legends Outlets

Francesca’s plans to open its first area outlet store in May at the Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kan.

Francesca’s offers women’s apparel, accessories, jewelry and footwear, along with beauty products, gifts, picture frames, candles and other home accessories.

It is taking a 1,960-square-foot space at 1947 Village West Parkway.

Coming to Oak Park Mall

Evereve, a casual contemporary women’s clothing boutique, is scheduled to open in Oak Park Mall, 95th Street and Quivira Road, Overland Park, on March 23.

Merchandise includes tops, premium denim, pants, accessories and footwear. New styles arrive weekly.

Other Johnson County updates

▪ Minsky’s Pizza Cafe & Bar plans a late April opening in Metcalf 127, at 12627 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park.

▪ Save-A-Lot plans a fall opening for a new store at 9850 W. 87th St. in Overland Park. Heartland Habitat for Humanity ReStore currently operates in the location and plans to relocate May 1 to 87th Street and Antioch Road in Overland Park.

▪ Unwind Bistro & Boutique has opened at 108 W. Cedar St., Olathe.

This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Wasabi Sushi shuts down in Overland Park."