The space that once housed Asian Seoul’s Copa Kitchen could soon to be home to Sakura Asian Kitchen. 

Paperwork submitted to the city last week showed plans for a nine–foot-long illuminated sign for the restaurant space at 20924 N. John Wayne Parkway, according to public records obtained by InMaricopa. It is the first hint of what’s to occupy the space since Copa Kitchen closed permanently last month.  

Public records show a business named Sakura Restaurant Group has been registered to Cobblestone Farms resident Steve Hwang since July 14.  

Charlotte Stessel, owner of Copa Kitchen, announced her intention to close the Asian fusion restaurant to care for aging parents and hinted the space would be converted into a sushi and Korean concept.  

Stessel launched the Asian fusion food truck Asian Seoul in 2019 before opening the restaurant in 2024. 

There is no timeline for the restaurant’s opening.