Will Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill be the restaurant that finally breaks the "curse" at 1525 Fourth St. in the Rosemary District?

Over the years, the 7,471-square-foot space—built in 1925 and originally built as part of Florida's Citrus Exchange, which shipped millions of boxes of regional citrus all over the U.S.—has been home to a slew of popular but short-lived restaurants, including Mad Crow Brewery & Grill, Darwin's on 4th, Servandos and Nancy's Bar-B-Q. In all, seven tenants have cycled in and out since 2011, leading to local speculation that the space has some kind of hex on it. 

Hanami, which is owned by Jason Klamson, Sam Ray and Jeffrey Karasawa, is just a few quick blocks from the owners' previous restaurant, the popular Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi, which was located at 100 Central Ave. and closed in September 2025. Like Tsunami, Hanami will serve sushi and hibachi, as well as other Japanese favorites and craft cocktails.   

"Hanami" is the Japanese word for "flower-viewing," and the Hanami team commissioned local artist Lauren Wilson to create authentic-looking cherry blossoms—complete with delicate pink flowers—to adorn the space and mimic the ones that burst into flower in Japan every spring. Other touches include Japanese pottery and art, exposed brick, sparkly chandeliers and, most striking, a new white facade and a relocated front entrance.

Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is located at 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. For more information, follow the restaurant on Facebook or Instagram.