Sayonara, Hapa Beach: Hapa Izakaya to close Kitsilano location on August 30

If you were a fan of Hapa Izakaya’s Kitsilano location, then you’ve got until Sunday to enjoy your last meal there.

Owners Justin and Lea Ault announced on August 26 that they will be closing Hapa Beach at 1516 Yew Street on August 30. The location has had an eight-year run.

In a statement on the restaurant's website, Justin Ault explained the reason for the closure.

“This is bittersweet for us,” he stated. “We put a lot into Hapa Kits over the last eight years and while we’re sad to let it go, we feel we’ll be that much stronger as an organization and be better equipped to face the challenges that come with running three Hapa Izakaya locations (Robson, Yaletown, and Coal Harbour). Lea and I offer our profound appreciation to our staff, neighbours and regulars who have contributed so much to the success of Hapa Kits over the years. We are going to miss our second restaurant baby but look forward to new opportunities.”

In June 2014, the Kitsilano location rebranded itself Hapa Beach and offered a casual Beach Bites menu, with items such as albacore sushi pockets and Kobe beef sliders.

Hapa Izakaya first opened in 2003 with their Robson Street location, followed by their Yaletown and Coal Harbour locations. In 2011, the Aults also opened the upscale fusion restaurant Hapa Umi at 909 West Cordova, but in 2012, they closed that restaurant and replaced it with Hapa Izakaya Coal Harbour.

Meanwhile, the Yaletown nightclub Bar None reopened on June 12 featuring a Hapa Izakaya sushi and sake bar.

They also have branched out nationally, with two locations in Toronto and one in Calgary.