Local sushi burger bar The Cowfish will be closing briefly in the fall “to undergo a long overdue renovation,” according to a July 22 press release.
“For the last few years, we knew it was time to remodel to be relevant and stay current,” said owner Alan Springate. “When I walk in the unit today, I know it’s beyond time to bring the look up for the guests and for the restaurant itself.”
The new concept will include a more modern, sleek interior with an upgraded sushi bar, new color schemes, unique light fixtures and an expanded patio area. Springate said the design will be “elevated” while also aiming to maintain the restaurant’s identity as an inviting neighborhood dining experience.
“I think that’s the way we looked at it: Not wanting to lose our identity but definitely freshen it up and bring it up,” Springate said.
The project will cost an estimated $500,000. Though the timeline for renovations is not set, Springate plans for the project to start in mid-September and to take about two to three weeks. He expects The Cowfish to close for about half of that time while remaining open for the other half as it continues to undergo renovations in certain areas of the restaurant.
The Cowfish first opened at The Village at SouthPark in 2010, featuring a unique blend of sushi and burger options, as well as “burgushi,” which fuses burgers and sushi into a single meal. In subsequent years, it added two new locations: one in Raleigh at North Hills and one at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.
The Village at South Park, owned by Simon Property Group, is a five-story shopping center that has specialty shops, beauty and wellness spots and food and beverage locations. It is located beside SouthPark, one of the largest collections of luxury shops on the East Coast.
“We’re very excited about [the renovations],” Springate said. “We know the look is overdue. I know whenever I walk into a restaurant that has been redone, there’s always a little bit of excitement with it. We’re hoping we can capture that and reestablish the look that defines who we are for the next 10 years.”
