I Luv Teriyaki is finally circling a real comeback date. A fresh banner on the rebuilt Georgetown storefront, just across the 1st Avenue South Bridge, is now advertising a March 1 reopening. The compact counter spot has been dark since a March 2023 kitchen fire gutted the building, and neighbors have been watching the slow rebuild for more than two years. If that date sticks, the return will restore a familiar lunch stop to a corner that feeds both nearby industrial workers and drive-by commuters.
Reader photo pins March 1
A reader snapped a shot of the new banner and sent it in, and West Seattle Blog ran the photo on Feb. 21, clearly showing March 1 as the target reopening. The blog noted the banner had just gone up when the reader passed by, following an earlier sign advertising job openings. The site also pointed out that March 1 lands just two days before the third anniversary of the fire, adding a bit of symmetry to the comeback date.
Three-year recovery after the 2023 blaze
The overnight kitchen fire in early March 2023 was ruled accidental, but it left the restaurant destroyed and the owners facing a long slog back. Months of cleanup, permit delays and even theft at the gutted site followed. As detailed by the Georgetown Community Council, the family had to work through demolition permits, fines and a drawn-out construction process before a new building finally rose on the same corner. Given that timeline, a simple vinyl banner on the front of the shop now feels like a major milestone for longtime regulars.
Owners preparing staff and a soft open
Co-owner Eva Lo told West Seattle Blog in late January that the restaurant had just cleared an inspection, which allowed the team to start moving in equipment and training staff with an eye toward reopening in about a month. According to West Seattle Blog, the plan is to start with a soft opening, then follow up with a grand reopening event, and to reach out to former employees about coming back. If March 1 holds, diners can expect a brief ramp-up period before the shop returns to full hours.
What to watch next
Keep an eye out for official hours, menu details and hiring notices in the coming days. The Georgetown location is listed at 6500 4th Ave S, a prominent corner along 4th Avenue South that is hard to miss. MapQuest and other business directories confirm the address and the building’s placement along the corridor. Updates on operating hours, a posted menu or any grand reopening plans are expected once the owners lock in their schedule.
