Saying Goodbye to My Favorite Restaurant

Yesterday was bittersweet.

The little sushi restaurant I’ve been visiting since I was six years old—Sam’s—shut its doors after 36 remarkable years.

When I was just a kid, barely tall enough to peek over the sushi bar, Sam—the jovial and mischievous sushi chef—would whip up kappa maki and spicy-tuna hand rolls faster than my little mouth could devour them. Meanwhile, his wife would slip me tootsie pops while my parents settled the bill.

It wasn’t just a restaurant—it was a home for memories.

From birthdays and anniversaries to moments of joy and heartbreak, Sam’s was the backdrop to it all.

I even took my wife there before she was my girlfriend. The waitstaff teased me mercilessly, trying to figure out who this special girl was. My daughter? Her first bite of solid food? Sam’s.

Sam's wasn’t just about the food (although the handwritten whiteboard menu filled with nigiri fresh off Japan’s shores was unforgettable). It was a place where, if you were having a bad day, you could sit down at the bar, order a cold draft beer, and let your troubles melt away for a little while.

The restaurant will live on in a new location, passed on to Sam’s wife’s niece and nephew. But it won’t be Sam’s.

So, I’ve been reflecting on the man behind it all and the dedication it must’ve taken to run a restaurant with such consistency and quality for 36 years.

It’s nothing short of remarkable.

Doing What You Love, Your Way, Is a Privilege

Sam didn’t take shortcuts.

He didn’t chase Michelin stars or sell out to backers. He could have raised prices to cater exclusively to the elite, but he didn’t.

He stayed true to the food, the people, and his purpose.

And that’s what I admire most.

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, Sam’s story is a reminder to check back in with why we do what we do.

Of course, we all want to make more money. Of course, I want to see you ridiculously successful. But if money is the sole focus—don’t start.

Business Is a Calling

Doing what you love, in a way that aligns with your values, is one of life’s greatest privileges.

There will always be shortcuts, temptations, and shiny objects promising quick fixes.

But at the end of the day, it’s about how you do what you do—and whether you’re proud of the legacy you leave behind.

As for me, I want to build something I love and be proud of the way I’ve done it.

Cheers to Sam and his wife for a well-earned retirement—and a life worth living.

Here’s to 2025,