Harmony Hi-Fi, a vinyl listening bar, will replace Kyuu-juu in Ohio City. That izakaya from the owners of Sushi Kuwahata abruptly closed its doors this past December after only six months in operation.
Partners Christine Somrak and Danny Chedid are behind the project, which will open on the main floor of the property in late April. Sushi Kuwahata, a separate entity, is reopening in its original upstairs home around the same time.
“I visited Parachute vinyl bar in Chicago and I just fell in love with the concept,” says Somrak. “It brought back my childhood, sitting around listening to vinyl records with my family. I always liked the tangible music that you can put in your hand.”
Somrak, who is slowly shifting gears from a four-decade career in insurance, envisions a neighborhood bar that will appeal to music lovers of all stripes. Assisting her in venture is Brian Gresham, who ran Take 5 Rhythm and Jazz in downtown Cleveland.
“Where the music I like may be a little more specific to the genres of the `70s, `80s, Brian has a very wide range of music knowledge, and together we’ve been purchasing every genre you can imagine,” says Somrak. “We want to welcome everybody.”
Harmony will play everything from Led Zeppelin to Coltrane, likely having nights set aside for specific genres and, perhaps, a BYOV night when guests can bring along their favorite platters.
Gresham is also lending his audio expertise in the acquisition of the sound system.
“They’re using high-tech McIntosh audio equipment. They’re not playing,” he says, adding that those matchless components are as beautiful to look at as they are to listen to. “It’s not a loud sound, like when you have a DJ in there blasting you out.”
Chef Terrell Locklear has put together a menu of small plates, including items like grilled wings, chargrilled oysters, salmon bites, flatbreads, Cajun chicken rolls, smash burgers and grilled lamb lollipops.
“We will have a menu of craft cocktails and small plates, but we want the star of the show to be the vinyl,” notes Somrak. “We’re going for just really cool vibe that welcomes everybody.”
The former Kyuu-juu (and Cha Pizza) space was turnkey to begin with, but slight modifications are being made to provide prominent homes for the LPs and turntable.
Management is currently figuring out the best way to share the indoor music and vibe with the expansive patio out back.
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