Auburn said goodbye to Touchdown's on Opelika Road as well as to Juliana Tokyo downtown this year. Sushi restaurants will replace both locations.
Sushi Boy, owned by Su Chong Cho, has since replaced Touchdown's.
While the new Sushi Boy sign has already gone up and clear signs of renovation are apparent, "We've got a lot of work to do to open our restaurant," Cho said.
Cho plans to paint and update the flooring in order to open the sushi and hibachi restaurant.
Juliana Tokyo downtown has also closed its doors. New owners Minjung Shin and Hosung Jo have remodeled the interior, added 30 new sushi rolls to the menu and opened its doors Oct. 15 as Arigato Sushi Boutique.
While the atmosphere and menu is similar to that of Juliana Tokyo, Shin has remodeled parts of the interior and even cut some prices. According to Shin, all of its sushi is half off from the original Juliana menu and will remain that way.
While opening a new restaurant has been challenging, Shin said business has been very busy.
Shin and her husband have signed a seven-year lease and intend to continue working on the menu.
They are also considering the addition of various drink specials throughout the week.
Both Arigato and Sushi Boy will be in competition with local sushi restaurants such as Fuji Sushi Bar and Mikata Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar.
Auburn graduate student council senator, Jonathan Frost, believes Auburn University greatly contributes to the market for more sushi restaurants in Auburn.
"Sushi is pretty popular in Auburn," Frost said. "Sushi in general is popular within the college atmosphere."
Frost and fellow senators believe there is a market for additional sushi restaurants.
Frost believes if these new restaurants can provide quality food, affordable prices and an added entertainment value, they will find success.
Sushi Boy and Arigato Sushi Boutique also have the added benefit of location. Both restaurants are centrally located and are within walking distance of campus.
"I think that part of the reason that sushi is so popular among college students is because, especially in places like Auburn, (patrons) are able to completely immerse themselves in a completely different culture," Frost said. "So it is not only about the quality of the food, it is about the atmosphere and a unique experience."
Auburn resident and sushi enthusiast, Calli Robinson, agreed that both restaurants will need to offer a unique atmosphere to compete with current sushi venues.
"They will have to offer quality food and cheap prices. Drink specials wouldn't hurt either," Robinson said.
While both businesses are continuing to fine-tune their restaurants and menus, they both appear determined and excited to make their mark in Auburn.
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