Sakura Tokyo Has Not Been Technically Sold, But Might Be Very Soon

WORCESTER, MA—You'd be hard pressed to find a venue around Central Massachusetts that has catered consistently to the mixed-age crowd that wants to dance to a live band. Sakura Tokyo on Park Ave. has provided this venue for more than a decade, offering bands every Friday and Saturday night (except for 4th of July and Christmas weekend). While they've got some tipsy tables (put a plate under it), it's got tons of room, adequate parking, a dance floor, food, and rarely a cover charge.

So cover bands and its fans are all a-spin to be hearing rumors that Sakura Tokyo has been sold, after being on the market for three years.

As of yet, it hasn't technically been sold, but it is closer to a sale than it has been in the past. 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. The building is currently owned by Sakura Tokyo, Inc.

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.

A Zoning Board hearing is set up during the board's next regular on Monday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. for Branded Realty's plans for the Sakura Tokyo building. If zoning applications are approved, Sakura Tokyo could finally be sold, said Ng.

Photo: Pet Rock playing at Sakura Tokyo in 2009, before major renovations were made to the stage area. Credit: Charlene Arsenault