Operators move in on Oxford Street

After years of stagnation, Oxford Street, Paddington is finally building a little momentum.

Merivale has begun work on an eventual fleet of new venues on the strip, and locals were surprised to see Toko in Paddington reopen as Sushi on Oxford.

A Toko spokeswoman says owner Matt Yazbek (who owns Toko in Surry Hills and Tokonoma in the city) gifted the Paddington sushi train eatery to his sister Diala for "her many years of service and loyalty".

It has also freed up Yazbek to consolidate and grow the Toko brand locally and overseas, she adds. Also on the strip, the closure of Oxford Street stalwart, Love Supreme, concerned local foodies.

"Although Oxford Street is dire for retail we're still going strong and wouldn't want customers to think we've joined the empty shopfronts," a Love Supreme spokeswoman told Good Food.

"We have had storm damage and must replace the whole ceiling and renew the floor. We expect to re-open, refreshed and ready for our busiest time of the year in about mid April."