On Facebook this weekend, Bernal neighbors Erin and Tim Archuleta, the celebrity duo behind Ichi Sushi, announced plans to close Ichi Kakiya, the Japanese-style oyster bar that opened last spring. In the post, they hint that a new plan for the space is already afoot:

It is with excitement and possibility that Tim and I announce that we’re transitioning ICHI Kakiya into a new neighborhood concept in early 2016. We are planning our ultimate service for the little oyster bar next Saturday night, October 31, 2015. We want to close this chapter doing what we do annually, dressing up in silly costumes; handing out candy to the neighborhood kids; and welcoming in friends and family before they head off to their parties.

We’ll then take ICHI Kakiya dark, but only temporarily! We get a few months to experiment with our best friends doing chef collaboration pop-up dinners. Many of the events we’ve done across the country have allowed us the opportunity to cook and produce meals in tandem with other chefs we admire. These dinners have allowed us to pause, reflect, and ground ourselves in our original intention as a restaurant family — We want to always create a little living room for you and your dearest. Whether that’s a sushi living room over at ICHI Sushi + NI Bar, or this next living room — that’s coincidentally pretty close to our own. We’ve lived in the neighborhood for a decade and we’re committed to our community.

Our team at ICHI Kakiya are folding into the crew over at ICHI Sushi + NI Bar, or else pursuing their own entrepreneurial dreams (we’re big supporters). We are grateful to our team who helped make ICHI Kakiya so special. We hope to see you before we dress up like cats and Dracula, but in case we miss you, come see us across the street at ICHI Sushi + NI Bar for sushi happy hour; a dinner with pals; your work holiday party; or even a Sunday Japanese Breakfast! It’s convening in your community and supporting your neighborhood gathering places that will keep our communities woven tightly with care, making them connected and vital.

Come give us a hug and slurp some oysters, we’ll tell you all about what’s in store,

Erin and Tim Archuleta
Owners and Partners
ICHI

PHOTO: Erin and Tim Archuleta