Raleigh’s GEM is closed for good. A popular restaurant group is taking over
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Giorgios Epicurean Market has closed permanently at East End Market.
- JalMex Restaurant Group will open Casa Nama at East End Market in late 2026.
- Casa Nama will be a 5,000 sq ft full-service restaurant focusing on sushi and Asian.
One of the Triangle’s busiest restaurant owners is building a new project in East End Market, taking over for a popular but short-lived restaurant.
The owners of Chido Tacos, the wildly popular counter-service taquerias, will open Casa Nama sometime in late 2026. This new upscale fusion spot will focus on Japanese cuisine specializing in sushi and Asian comfort food.
The announcement of Casa Nama means that Giorgios Epicurean Market is closed permanently.
In February, prolific restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias said GEM would be closed temporarily for a remodel, The News & Observer reported.
Casa Nama
The new Casa Nama is similar to Yatai, a sister concept by its owners, the JalMex Restaurant Group. Yatai offers a window into what we can expect at Casa Nama, serving sushi rolls, bowls of ramen, steamed and fried dumplings and tacos.
Owner Salvador Alvarez said Casa Nama will have an expanded menu compared to Yatai, adding ceviches as well, and the 5,000 square foot restaurant will be full service.
With the addition of Casa Nama, the JalMex group now includes Chido Tacos, Gringo a GoGo, La Buena Vida, La Victoria Cocina and Yatai.
Will GEM relocate?
Bakatsias told The N&O that GEM will relocate eventually but declined to confirm the new location.
“It was a heartbreaker,” Bakatsias said in a text message. “The community has been amazing and very supportive--have enormous gratitutde.”
East End Market is also home to East End Bistrot, East Bower Cider and the future cafe and bar Songbird.
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Raleigh’s GEM is closed for good. A popular restaurant group is taking over."
