A change is brewing in the restaurant scene along Folsom’s East Bidwell Street as University of Beer prepares to close its Folsom location, with a new Japanese restaurant concept expected to take over the space.
Since opening in 2022 inside a former IHOP along East Bidwell Street, University of Beer established itself in the local dining mix with a rotating selection of craft beers and a casual food menu in a location that was previously known for breakfast, lunch and dinner faire.
The decision to close the Folsom location is not tied to financial performance, but to a shift in priorities for co-owners Nate and Melissa Yungvanitsait, who operate multiple locations across Northern California. As previously reported by the Sacramento Business Journal, the move reportedly reflects a desire to reduce travel demands and focus closer to home as they plan for their family. Based in Davis, the owners said managing the Folsom location presented ongoing logistical challenges tied to distance and daily oversight.
University of Beer will continue operating its remaining locations in Davis, Vacaville, Rocklin, Roseville and East Sacramento. The company has reported approximately 15 percent year-over-year revenue growth across its operations. Its business model combines a bar setting with a full kitchen offering items such as burgers, wings, salads and other casual dining options.
Approximately 15 employees work at the Folsom location. Ownership has indicated those employees will have opportunities to transfer to other University of Beer locations.
Plans are already in motion for what will come next at the East Bidwell location.
Roku Japanese Cuisine is expected to take over the space. Currently in the application and permitting stage, a timeline for opening has not been released as of yet. Roku Japanese Cuisine currently operates a location in Roseville and offers a menu centered on traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, ramen and robata-style grilled dishes.
The restaurant is known for an izakaya-style dining experience, offering both lunch and dinner service. Menu items at its existing location include dishes such as the Surf & Turf Roll, tonkotsu ramen and a variety of nigiri selections, along with skewered items prepared over a traditional robata grill. The concept also includes options such as chef’s omakase, highlighting a curated dining experience based on available ingredients.
According to it existing website, the restaurant offers indoor seating and is designed to accommodate a range of diners, including accessible entry. The name “Roku,” which translates to “six” in Japanese, reflects the restaurant’s branding and approach to its dining concept.
If completed, the transition would shift the East Bidwell site from a beer-focused concept to a restaurant centered on Japanese cuisine, adding a different dining option within the corridor.
The East Bidwell area has experienced continued turnover in restaurant spaces in recent years, reflecting broader patterns in Folsom’s dining market where new concepts regularly replace or reposition existing ones. The corridor remains one of the city’s most active commercial areas, supported by steady traffic and a mix of retail and dining businesses.
The location sits within Willow Creek Town Center, which includes national retailers and restaurant tenants. Its visibility and proximity to major roadways continue to make it a target location for restaurant operators entering or expanding within the Folsom market.
For customers, the closure marks the departure of an established business while signaling the potential arrival of a new dining concept in the same space. As with most restaurant transitions, the timing of the new restaurant’s opening will depend on permitting, interior modifications and final buildout work.
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