Longtime Orlando restaurant Izziban Sushi and BBQ and its neighboring dessert and coffee shop Snowbean have shut their doors.
The unexpected closure of the Korean eateries located at 5310 E. Colonial Drive was announced on social media on Oct. 14.
“This is just as surprising to us as it is to you,” the post, which has since been removed, read. “The Snowbean team will truly miss the familiar faces that come in, and we hope to see you somewhere else in the future.”
While it seems the closure was unexpected by Snowbean staff, Orlando Business Journal reports that plans to sell and redevelop the property apparently have been underway for months.
The building is being acquired by Atelier Dining Group, OBJ reports.
“Atelier Dining Group is acquiring the property if everything goes well, not the existing businesses,” a statement to OBJ reads. “The building’s incredible potential attracted several interested buyers, and we’re thrilled to have secured it.”
Atelier Dining Group has three restaurants in the Orlando area currently: Helena Modern Rivera, Rosallie Le French Café and Mangoni Italian Market Pizza in Winter Garden.
OBJ reports the statement from the group teases the new restaurant concept planned for the Izziban and Snowbean space will be “highly themed.”
Izziban, a many-time winner of Best Korean restaurant in Orlando Weekly‘s Best of Orlando® Reader’s Poll, opened in Orlando back in 2007 with an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and sushi menu. Snowbean Cafe opened a decade later in the same building, dishing out Korean sweets, coffee, tea and bingsu, a milky shaved-ice dessert.
The two longstanding spots became known for their lakeside views and “Love Deck” patio, adorned with hundreds of padlocks placed by guests.
