RTD eminent domain ends nearly 40-year tofu career
“Haru Yamamoto, 73, has sold his Denver Tofu business at 38th and Blake streets after nearly 40 years in business.
“Yeah, I was just trying to continue,” said the long-time business owner, who started his company with a small factory near 64th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in 1972.
After nearly three years of talks and negotiations, Yamamoto settled with RTD earlier this year for his property.
He wanted to relocate, but decided to sell the business because RTD did not offer enough money to invest in a new property, he says. A new owner will continue the Denver Tofu brand using Yamamoto’s equipment, but his 13 employees will have to find new jobs.
“My father is giving them a small bonus to stay on until the company closes,” his daughter, Lisa Yamamoto Grimsley, said. “Hopefully they’ll find other jobs.”
The building Yamamoto bought in 1987 sits near a planned rail station along RTD’s East Line to the airport.
RTD has negotiated with roughly 30 businesses along the East Line, according to RTD spokesperson Kevin Flynn.”
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9news 7 March 2012.