Republic Heads Down on the Farm

Saying "the space was too big for a sushi bar," owners Sandy Yu and Jeff Zhang (Rise, Shine Morida) decided to shutter River North Pan Asian spot Republic. They're transforming the space into Farmerie 58 with former Kendall College prof William Alexander helming the kitchen. The two-level, 150-seat space will now focus on more of a Midwest farm feel but will still have a sushi bar and raw bar. Locavore? With sushi? Hmmm...interesting concept but last time we heard a Midwest farm was producing top-quality hamachi and maguro was, well, never. Regardless, the concept sounds interesting so we'll likely check it out. [via Crian's]