In the latest update to its long-running saga, the site of an iconic but shuttered Salt Lake City restaurant in Liberty Wells could be torn down in the coming weeks.
The former Coachman’s Dinner and Pancake House, located at 1301 S. State St., could be razed next month, according to a demolition permit filed last week with Salt Lake City. The permit lists the approximate starting date as May 25 with a tentative end date of June 10.
Little information is included in the demolition permit application, as the project description only says, “Old restaurant being torn down and cleaned up to allow future development on lot.”
Coachman’s was a longtime staple along State Street for years until its closure in 2021. Since then, the site has been discussed as a potential site for redevelopment, as the Coachman’s parcel consists of 1.77 acres that spans much of the streetscape. The lot is currently zoned as MU-6, which allows buildings up to 65 feet in height.
The restaurant has nearly been demolished before, as former owner Mike Nikols had requested a demo permit in 2022, but it was never issued. A slate of small office buildings were demolished on the lot in 2024, but the restaurant site remained.
After its 2021 closure, Nikols first attempted to develop the Coachman’s property into a mixed-use condo complex, but the project ultimately stalled. Nikols later put the property up for sale in 2023, shortly before his death at age 58.
The property was later purchased by Sapa Investment Group, which owns restaurants and a number of properties around Salt Lake City, primarily on State Street. Sapa also owns its namesake sushi bar and grill along State Street.
Messages to Sapa Investment Group seeking comment on the demolition permit and future plans for the site have not been returned.
The demolition permit application has yet to be screened by Salt Lake City officials since it was filed. The application says the total square footage for demolition is 7,800, and the total job value is estimated to be $50,000.
County parcel records estimate the land’s overall taxable value is just over $4.71 million.
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