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Wednesday, May 11, 2011
News Food but no liquor at Cyros Sushi and Sake Bar ... and that's just the beginning
Posted By Cheris Hodges on Wed, May 11, 2011 at 4:36 PM
After a year in business, Cyros Sushi and Sake Bar in South Park has developed a loyal following. Cy Santos, the executive chef and co-owner, can take credit for that because of his signature roll, the Avante Garde.
Lately, though, there have been some big changes and behind-the-scenes fighting with partners Santos and Rogelio Lawsin. The restaurant's liquor license has been revoked, according to Santos, because Lawsin called the ABC board to inform them that he was no longer a part of the business, and it was his name on the license.
Creative Loafing called Lawsin without success.
"He's sabotaged the business," Santos said. "I put my trust in him and he took advantage of me." Right now, customers can still experience the food, but they have to bring in their own wine and beer. Santos said Cyros isn't charging a corking fee for the wine.
"This is affecting our business because of what he did. He abandoned us," he said. "I want to move on and continue doing this."
But, keeping Cyros open is proving to be a challenge; Santos said that their rent is five months late because Lawsin hadn't been paying the landlord. Nearly half of the staff quit when they didn't receive their paychecks and Santos said he hasn't been paid either. "Cyros, me and Ro, are supposed to be kicked out because he's not paying the bill. I was surprised one day when the owner of the building told me one day that he's not paying the rent."
"Ro handled the administration side of the business. I don't even have access to the bank account," he said. And Santos said, he and Lawsin never had a contract; they started their business on a handshake and he trusted his friend, whom he'd met in 2002. "Every time I'd ask him about it, he would say, I have the lawyers working on it." But the paperwork never materialized, despite the fact that the men are also partners in a catering business (Cyros LLC Sushi Catering). Santos said Lawsin has locked him out of the catering office.
According to Santos, he and Lawsin had been at odds about how much money the restaurant was making. Lawsin was telling him that they weren't making any money, but Santos said Cyros was bringing in $70,000 a month.
"Every night we were packed," he said of the 49-seat restaurant. But since the alcohol has been taken away, Santos said 50 percent of the people who read the sign posted outside the door about the situation simply leave. "People are coming, but people walk away because we don't have any alcohol."
But what is coming are tax notices, from Mecklenburg County and from the IRS, Santos said. "I got so scared that I started to seek help from the owner of the building. When we started this business, the owner of the building invested some money to me, because of me."
The building where Cyros is located is owned by Harris Land Company. A representative from the company could not be reached Wednesday afternoon.
"We got so many reviews and awards, we're very proud of it and I want to continue keeping that reputation. It's just unfortunate that this things happen."
For right now, it's business as usual at Cyros, despite the fact that Santos said Lawsin has sent messages to some customers that the restaurant has shut down.
"I'm going to continue serving the best sushi," said Santos.
Stay tuned for more details as this story develops.
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