LoHi sushi spot files for bankruptcy as owners battle in court

Despite its penchant for raw food in the kitchen, Sushi Ronin is burning money in the courtroom.

The LoHi sushi joint filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, nearly three years into a nasty legal battle between the business’ majority owner and initial investor, where each alleges misconduct and blames the other for the restaurant’s failure to ever turn a profit.

“At this point, this lawsuit is just very, very vindictive,” said Alex Gurevich, Sushi Ronin’s majority owner.

Chapter 11 bankruptcies are meant to allow a business to restructure and keep operating while paying creditors over time. But due to the restaurant’s steep debts — of which about $200,000 are lawsuit-related — Gurevich, who has an accounting degree from CU, said that closing and liquidating through Chapter 7 is not off the table.

“The legal fees have exhausted this restaurant,” he said.

Sushi Ronin has operated at 2930 Umatilla St. since 2016. But sales have been dro...