Hole in the Wall was in danger of closing last year after Tanner and landlord Cencor Realty could not agree on rental terms. Eventually the pair were able to strike a deal and a new lease was signed in November, but Paul Qui and Moto Utsunomiya’s ramen-focused ESK branch declined to go along for the ride – reportedly due to the increased rent. The pair closed shop in that location mid-December.
Michi has recently been in expansion mode. The Hole in the Wall space will be the third shop, following the second, takeout-only location that opened on South Lamar last June. No word yet on whether there will be any new additions to the original North Lamar menu or the exact opening date.
This article appears in January 8 • 2016.