Welp, the story we all knew would end this way has reached its end as Health-Department-closure-afflicted SliderBar (2295 Market Street), which was rechristened OVOK in September with basically the same menu, to not much success, is closing, and the business has been sold to a new owner. As Hoodline reports, that owner is established local restaurateur Juan Romo, who also owns Tacos Club across the street (catty-corner, on the next block up Market), and the new name, which should take effect any day, is The Castro Republic.

The space has seen some significant turnover since longtime 24-hour tenant Bagdad Cafe closed in 2011, and nothing has seemed to stick despite the prime, high-traffic location at Market and 16th. A brief run as Criolla Kitchen gave way to SliderBar, which was shut down for vermin infestations and other problems twice before rebranding itself as Ovok.

Romo, who brings 20 years of experience to the table as a restaurant owner and who also owns four Mexican restaurants in Berkeley, says that customers have nothing to fear, cleanliness-wise, going forward, telling Hoodline, "that's just not how I do business."

We'll bring you a look at the menu once it's been installed, but Romo says the focus will be on small plates — and I'm guessing things might swing a bit more Mexican too, given all his other businesses. He's also hinting at an eventual full bar, but until then it will continue with just beer and wine, and the new regime.

Update: The Castro Republic is set to be softly open Wednesday, March 9.