Jen Todd

jtodd1@tennessean.com

The sign on the window says it all: "No more sushi for you" — Sam.

Sam's Sushi Bar, a Nashville favorite, has closed its doors.

Owner Sam Katakura, known as the "Sushi Nazi" by some due to his abrasive personality (in reference to the popular "Seinfeld" The Soup Nazi episode), closed his small downtown sushi shop on Saturday, and has spent the last few days moving out and cleaning.

"I've been here almost 15 years," he said. "That's a long time. I don't want to die here."

The building at Fourth Avenue North and Church Street changed ownership, and the tenants were asked to leave.

"Everybody has gone except me," he said. "I am the last one to leave."

He plans to go back to Japan, where he grew up, although not to retire. "I cannot retire," he said.

His many customers can remember his preference for regulars, his refusal of service to many for a variety of reasons, his many newspaper clippings on any subject imaginable, and of course, his delicious rolls.

But for customers now searching for a new sushi place to visit, he recommends trying Ken's Sushi at 2007 Division St.