Lenny Sean plans to open in September a Hayashi Sushi and Grill at 2160 John Rolfe Parkway in Henrico County. (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
For his latest round of expansion, a restaurateur is putting in hibachi and sushi where burgers once reigned.
Lenny Sean plans to open in September a Hayashi Sushi and Grill at 2160 John Rolfe Parkway in Henrico County.
Hayashi, which means “lots of trees,” combines three elements of Japanese cuisine – sushi, hibachi and kitchen dining.
“I have looked at Richmond before, right around the time Short Pump was created,” Sean said. “I know Richmond has a great sushi demand.”
Sean, 49, said he expects to spend up to $700,000 renovating the former Max & Erma’s space. Sean’s Richmond venture is being financed with an SBA loan from Los Angeles-based Wilshire Bank.
The Wilton Cos., a Richmond-based real estate firm, owns the property. Charlie Parrish and Doug Mallory represented Wilton in the leasing of the space.
Sean isn’t the only restaurateur that sees an opportunity in the West End shopping center. Rob Jones is opening a third Sportspage Bar and Grille at 2316 John Rolfe Parkway.
Sean is also expanding in other parts of Virginia. He’s adding about 2,000 square feet to his Newport News location.
Lenny Sean (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
Sean got his start more than 20 years ago, while still in his 20s, when he opened a Japanese take-out spot in a Newport News food court. He followed up with the launch of Hayashi with a location in Williamsburg, which he sold in 2011 to one of his chefs. In 2006, he opened a Hayashi in Newport News and, in 2011, added a second location in Hampton.
“Back then, Japanese restaurants were not as popular as these days,” Sean said. “Twenty years ago, I saw the American food industry changing.”
Sean said with mainstream food beginning to trend toward wraps and healthier food, he bet sushi would become more attractive.
To stay competitive, Sean says he puts out the freshest seafood he can. He buys his fish and mollusks from True World Foods, a Baltimore-based seafood distributor.
“Even though my price is higher, I always have consistent quality,” he said.
Sean said he plans to add a black awning over the door with a red circle that means “indefinite,” which seems to be about as long as he plans to be in Richmond.
“The next (Hayashi) will be in Richmond somewhere,” Sean said.
Lenny Sean plans to open in September a Hayashi Sushi and Grill at 2160 John Rolfe Parkway in Henrico County. (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
For his latest round of expansion, a restaurateur is putting in hibachi and sushi where burgers once reigned.
Lenny Sean plans to open in September a Hayashi Sushi and Grill at 2160 John Rolfe Parkway in Henrico County.
Hayashi, which means “lots of trees,” combines three elements of Japanese cuisine – sushi, hibachi and kitchen dining.
“I have looked at Richmond before, right around the time Short Pump was created,” Sean said. “I know Richmond has a great sushi demand.”
Sean, 49, said he expects to spend up to $700,000 renovating the former Max & Erma’s space. Sean’s Richmond venture is being financed with an SBA loan from Los Angeles-based Wilshire Bank.
The Wilton Cos., a Richmond-based real estate firm, owns the property. Charlie Parrish and Doug Mallory represented Wilton in the leasing of the space.
Sean isn’t the only restaurateur that sees an opportunity in the West End shopping center. Rob Jones is opening a third Sportspage Bar and Grille at 2316 John Rolfe Parkway.
Sean is also expanding in other parts of Virginia. He’s adding about 2,000 square feet to his Newport News location.
Lenny Sean (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
Sean got his start more than 20 years ago, while still in his 20s, when he opened a Japanese take-out spot in a Newport News food court. He followed up with the launch of Hayashi with a location in Williamsburg, which he sold in 2011 to one of his chefs. In 2006, he opened a Hayashi in Newport News and, in 2011, added a second location in Hampton.
“Back then, Japanese restaurants were not as popular as these days,” Sean said. “Twenty years ago, I saw the American food industry changing.”
Sean said with mainstream food beginning to trend toward wraps and healthier food, he bet sushi would become more attractive.
To stay competitive, Sean says he puts out the freshest seafood he can. He buys his fish and mollusks from True World Foods, a Baltimore-based seafood distributor.
“Even though my price is higher, I always have consistent quality,” he said.
Sean said he plans to add a black awning over the door with a red circle that means “indefinite,” which seems to be about as long as he plans to be in Richmond.
“The next (Hayashi) will be in Richmond somewhere,” Sean said.