Japanese Izakaya Katsu Detroit to Close in Woodbridge After Six Months - Eater Detroit

"Japanese izakaya Katsu Detroit is preparing to serve its last meal. The restaurant is set to close on Sunday, June 30, offering a 20 percent-off sale on food during its final week. Joshua Chiatovich, a minority partner, confirmed the closure, citing significant cash flow issues exacerbated by a costly opening process. Chiatovich partnered with majority owners Roy Chen and Katsu Yama, who were based in Asia, while he managed operations in Michigan. Despite initial success, the restaurant operated at a deficit, and as business leveled off, it lost more funds. Katsu was designed as a cultural experience with a tatami-inspired seating area and no signage or online presence, which eventually worked against it. Majority owner Roy Chen decided to close the business rather than invest further. Chiatovich believes a similar izakaya could be successful in Detroit, attributing the failure to business-specific problems, not the city's market." - Brenna Houck