Cincinnati, Ohio – A brand new store called Daruma is set to open its doors in downtown Cincinnati’s Court Street Plaza. This store, a konbini, is a Japanese-style convenience store. Hideki Harada, a local chef who already owns Kiki, a Japanese restaurant in College Hill, and Sen, a fish and seafood shop in Findlay Market, is the man behind this venture. The grand opening is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m.
“I’m really looking forward to being back downtown and being part of all the exciting things happening in the city,” Harada said in a press release. “With a growing number of downtown employees returning to the office, there’s an increased demand for weekday lunch options – and Daruma will provide options that are healthy, unique and convenient.”
Daruma will offer a wide range of genuine Japanese products, including sauces, condiments, candies, and snacks. Additionally, it will provide ready-to-eat meals such as sushi, onigiri, and rice balls with various fillings like pork belly, pickled plum, and ham and cheese. For those interested, sake and beer will be available for purchase, and a hot water dispenser will be on-site for tea and instant noodles.
“I’m very excited to bring something new to the city, where folks can purchase Japanese items they can’t easily find nearby,” said Harada. “Daruma is a place where people can discover and try new things — a place where you may even find a few surprises.”
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The design of Daruma comes from Team B Architecture & Design, featuring light wood and Japanese-inspired decor. There’s also an outdoor patio for customers to enjoy their food.
Daruma will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will close on Saturdays and Sundays.
Daruma, 31 E. Court St., Downtown. More info: instagram.com/darumacincy.