Lights Out: Sunrise Mall’s last restaurant leaves food court

By Mike Hazlip—
The last remaining restaurant space occupied by a business in the Sunrise Mall food court is vacant after Naija Cuisine recently moved out.

A sign on the menu of the West African eatery says the business moved to 2720 Northgate Blvd. with a phone number and ordering information. Owner Adeola Adedayo opened the restaurant at the mall in 2022, The Sentinel previously reported.

Prior to their move to Sunrise Mall, Adedayo operated Naija Cuisine out of a “ghost kitchen” next to Yalla Yalla bakery at 7800 Sunrise Blvd., according to The Sentinel.

No reason was given for the move and The Sentinel was not able to reach the business by phone or leave a voicemail.

The move leaves Seva Khripunov and his coffee cart as the last business still operating in the food court. Khripunov said he now stocks frozen foods that the prepares for patrons and employees of the mall.

Taco Bell and Pretzelmaker closed as of Jan. 15, leaving Naija Cuisine as the only operating restaurant at the mall, according to The Sentinel. Khripunov said the minimum wage increase led to the closures, however, The Sentinel has not been able to independently verify the claim with franchise owner DG Smith Enterprises.

Businesses at Sunrise Mall continue to come and go, while plans to guide redevelopment of the nearly 100-acre mall property were approved by the city in 2021. Development requires partnership with private developers and is expected to take 20 years to complete, likely coming in four phases starting with the unused parking areas around the mall.

The first phase aims to develop the unused parking areas over the next five years. The second phase would incorporate office space, retail, dining, and an extended stay hotel. The third and final phase includes redeveloping the existing mall into a 21st century main street.