Ohio-Based Japanese Restaurant Landing in NYC, With Empire Outlets Outpost
By Liam La Guerre May 3, 2017 6:00 am
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Wasabi Steak & Sushi has signed a 7,172-square-foot lease to open its first New York City location at Empire Outlets in Staten Island, Commercial Observer has learned.
The Ohio-based restaurant group is expected to open at the nearly 1-million-square-foot, $344 million outlet mall when the complex opens in March 2018.
“Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic steak dinner or looking for a place to have a larger celebration, Wasabi at Empire will be the perfect venue,” Joseph Ferrara, a principal at developer BFC Partners, said in a statement. “Wasabi’s expert Japanese chefs will fill a big gap in the Staten Island dining scene and provide a new go-to dining option for the millions of tourists and residents who will visit Empire Outlets each year.”
Wasabi Steak & Sushi currently has four locations in Ohio. The restaurant, known for its high-quality sushi and hibachi steak, will be among 100 retailers at Empire Outlets. Its lease is for 10 years. The average asking rent at the mall is $125 per square foot, as CO previously reported.
“Wasabi is thrilled to be a part of the new Empire Outlets at this very exciting time for the North Shore,” Nan Lin, an owner of Wasabi Steak & Sushi, said in prepared remarks. “Wasabi Steak & Sushi specializes in a unique tableside dining experience, where every table is a chef’s table. And of course we’ll be offering the freshest seafood and sushi available.”
In addition to Wasabi Steak & Sushi, other restaurants at the development will include Shake Shack, Two Boots Pizza, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque and Nathan’s Famous. There will also be 30 vendors in a 12,723-square-foot food hall called MRKTPL, and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space. Major retailers that will open at Empire Outlets include H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic Factory Store and Gap Factory.
“Wasabi is an amazing addition to the development offering a special venue for events and parties with their hibachi tables, a fantastic fast casual option with their sushi bar and the perfect spot to grab a cocktail while taking a break from shopping or on your way home from work—all under one roof,” said Michael Brais of Douglas Elliman, who represented Empire Outlets in the transaction and was the only broker on the deal.
