Soho Chicken + Whiskey to Move Into Former Xinji Noodle Space in Ohio City

Soho will be departing its longtime home in Ohio City Credit: Scene Archives

In February, many Cleveland diners were devasted to learn that Soho Chicken + Whiskey (1889 W. 25th St.), a fixture in Ohio City since 2011, was being compelled to find a new home at the end of its current lease term, which currently runs through summer 2026. The property on West 25th Street that they have called home for 14 years was being handed over to Chipotle.

In April, Cleveland diners received some other upsetting news when Shuxin Liu announced that he was closing Xinji Noodle Bar, which opened in Ohio City in 2017. That eatery served its last meal on April 19.

You can see where this bittersweet tale is heading.

Today, Soho owners Nolan Konkoski and Molly Smith announced that they will be relocating to the Xinji space (4211 Lorain Ave.), a move that keeps them in the neighborhood that they love.

“Obviously, we were very bummed that [Xinji] was closing but it was an opportunity for us to stay in the neighborhood in a very good spot and building,” says Konkoski.

Konkoski added that while their present lease runs through late-2026, the move and reopening will take place this summer. The target date to close is June 14.

“The space is in really good shape, so there’s not a ton to do, but we obviously want to make it our own,” he says.

The double storefront that housed Xinji is roughly the same size as Soho’s current home, but the layout – smaller kitchen, larger dining room – works to the owners’ benefit, he adds.

When the new space is ready, there will be a minimal break in service between the closing of the original spot and the opening of the new, adds management.

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This article appears in Apr 24 – May 7, 2025.