Winnipeg's original sushi restaurant is shutting down after 24 years in business in the city's downtown.

Edohei Sushi and Japanese Restaurant will close on Saturday.

Sadao Ono, who opened the Ellice Avenue restaurant in 1988, said he is retiring after working six days a week for 24 years.

While Edohei opened well before sushi became popular, the restaurant's reputation grew over the years as culinary purists took to Ono's traditional style of sushi.

Ono has also trained many chefs — including his own son, Makoto Ono — who have gone on to open restaurants in Winnipeg and elsewhere.

To his legions of regular customers, the elder Ono said, "I'm [saying] sorry to them, but I can't do another 20 years."