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UPDATED: So Much For Renovations, SushiSamba Rio Sold in River North

New owner says he expects to find a new tenant soon.

SushiSamba Rio
SushiSamba Rio
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Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

Those renovations for SushiSamba Rio won't be happening.

The fusion restaurant, which combined Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian flavors "temporarily" closed late this summer under a cloud of mystery. Management told patrons renovations were on its way, but wouldn't say when the restaurant would reopen.

Now, comes news that the former River North hot spot was sold. Investor Sean Conlon paid $6 million for the two-floor, 14,000-square-foot space, according to Crain's. Conlon wouldn't reveal his plans for the building, but said he expects to fill the space soon.

Five SushiSamba's are left: Coral Gables, Fla.; Las Vegas; London; Miami and New York. Check back for any updates to what becomes of the Chicago space.

UPDATE: Conlon's been busy in 2014. In April, he bought the Gold Coast bar at 15 W. Division St., which housed The Snuggery. Construction crews continue work on that that site, as Big Onion Tavern Group (Woodie's Flat, Fatpour Tapworks, etc.) plans on opening the Hopsmith Tavern sometime in 2015. Perhaps that provides a clue to what will happen to SushiSamba Rio.

SUSHISAMBA Chicago

504 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 595-2300 Visit Website