Star’s beef stew (Image: Star Fusion)

In December, CHS reported on the planned closure of Star Fusion and Bar, a family-run restaurant that managed to survive being birthed into the first days of the pandemic, made its way through a challenging 21 months, and found a buyer so it could make an exit from its orbit of $12,000-a-month Capitol Hill rent for a 3,000-square-foot restaurant and bar.

A month later and in the new year, owner Ernie Enkhtaivan and Star Fusion are still serving.

He tells CHS his deal to sell the business so he could pay back his friends and family investors and make way for a new restaurant concept fell through when it turned out the leased restaurant space was also in the process of changing hands.

Enkhtaivan says there are no hard feelings about the new owner of the Brix building’s largest commercial condo space but tells CHS Star’s new challenge is to survive at least though the end of its lease in October and, maybe, beyond. A five-year tenant option could give Fusion and Enkhtaivan valuable leverage in dealings with the new landlord.

To get there, Star Fusion has kicked fully back into motion with its packed menu and everything from from the sashimi to the Mongolian beef stew ready for service. For fans, it is a second chance. For others, if you ever wondered if a joint needs your business, you’ll know Fusion appreciates serving you as it settles in for an uncertain period full of more challenges after an already challenging start.

Star Fusion and Bar is open at 538 Broadway E. You can learn more at starbroadway.com.

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