Go Sushi shock: Iconic Mitchell St restaurant to close within a month

GO Sushi will shut its doors after 19 years in business. The restaurant is the latest to be swept away in Darwin’s turbulent economic headwinds

Toshi and Theo Manolis say their hearts are broken after deciding to shut Go Sushi after 19 years in business in Darwin

GO Sushi will shut its doors after 19 years in business.

The restaurant is the latest to be swept away in Darwin’s turbulent economic headwinds.

The decision to close up shop within the month has “broken the hearts” of Go Sushi’s much-loved owners Toshi and Theo Manolis.

The prominent Darwin restaurateurs have owned a long menu of successful local business spanning decades including Giuseppe’s Restaurant, Gourmet Deli, Barra Bar and Tuxedo Junction

But after two straight years seeing their tills lighten, Toshi and Theo said running the business was “too hard in the current economy”.

“The economy is very bad,” Ms Manolis said.

“So many small business are suffering, it’s not only us.”

Economic stress, for the Manolises, was compounding the physical and emotional stresses of running a business in their late 70s.

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“In my condition now, the stress is just not worth it,” Mr Manolis said.

“It’s breaking my wife’s heart to close. She lives for this shop. She’s made so many friends and it is such a part of her life.”

Ms Manolis said she wanted to thank her “beautiful” customers for their support over the years.

“We are extremely sad and I think our customers will be very said too,” she said.

“We have beautiful customers — they are beautiful people.

“I cry all the time for that — this is a very sad time,”

Mr Manolis said Go Sushi had been the best business in all his years running restaurants in Darwin.

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“It’s been a pleasure to look after our customers,” he said.

“Although this is a very sad time, we have many happy memories here.

“This restaurant has meant a lot to us and we hope it has for our loyal customers too.”

One of those loyal customers is Labor Member for Johnston Ken Vowles, who was shocked to hear the news his favourite lunch spot was closing down when picking up his regular order of chilli tempura.

“It’s just bloody sad if this place is going to close,” Mr Vowles said.

“It will hit a lot of people.

”These are bloody tough times and people are having to make tough decisions.”

“Everybody knew it was going to be tough and it wont be the last business to shut in the Top End.”

When asked what the Territory Government could do to shore-up the economy and restore hope to businesses, Mr Vowles deferred to the Chief Minister.

“You should take that question to Michael Gunner,” he said.