Sakura Tokyo Closing By the End of October

WORCESTER, MA—After months of rumors, and then confirmation that a sale was pending, management for Sakura Tokyo said on Wednesday that the long-standing Japanese restaurant on Park Ave. is closing permanently on Oct. 16.

Sakura Tokyo on Park Ave. has provided a solid venue for live music, mostly cover bands, for more than a decade, offering music every Friday and Saturday night (except for 4th of July and Christmas weekend).

Manager Anna Ng said that no official date has been set yet for the sale, but the restaurant is shutting down to "clear it out."

An MLS search reveals the property, at 640 Park Ave. listed for $2 million, is "retired" or "off the market."

Branded Realty Group is zoning in on officially clinching the sale, developers planning to take a wrecking ball to the building to erect a gas station, drive-thru and a small retail building, according to Sakura Tokyo's general manager Anna Ng. The plans have already been approved by Worcester's Planning Board.

Led by president Robert Branca, Branded Realty Group renovated other Worcester properties that include the building that houses Sweet Restaurant and Bar, The Hidden Jewel, Volturno Restaurant, Wormtown Brewery and Worcester Magazine on Shrewsbury Street, and has plans for the old El Morocco at 100 Wall St.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.