East Tokyo Shuts Its Doors, Blames Rent
What would you like to see replace the Hibachi restaurant?
East Tokyo, the Hibachi restaurant that has called the A&P Shopping Plaza home for 15 years, has packed away its knives for good, but not before taking one public swipe at its landlord.
The owners recently cleaned out the restaurant and posted a note on the door:
“We deeply regret to inform you that East Tokyo will no longer be operating indefinitely. Unfortunately, we were not able to come to terms with our current landlord [which] has forced us into this decision. We would like to thank the community, neighbors and customers for [your] support during the 15-year duration. We hope to better serve you in the future! God Bless.”
The owners still operate four other East Tokyo locations around the state, but were not available at any of their other restaurants for additional comment about the decision to shut down the Mahwah location.
Marcy Connor, a representative from A&P Headquarters, said “we do lease the entire shopping center," but said she could not comment on specifics regarding East Tokyo's closing.
Lew Finkelstein, a leasing agent for the complex with Goldstein Group Realtors, said “Due to A&P’s financial situation, they will probably not putting any money into [the former East Tokyo]. Any new tenant would have to pay for demolition if they don’t want to use the space as is.” The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., announced that it “successfully consummated its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a privately-held company,” on March 13. A&P filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December of 2010.
East Tokyo marks the fourth empty store inside the shopping center. Though he would not comment about the specific rent rates, Finkelstein said the vacancies in the complex are not uncommon. “There is not a particularly high turnover rate here,” he said.
Melissa Steinberg
6:48 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
I am sad to see East Tokyo go. We loved going on Thursday nights; family sushi night sitting at the sushi bar.
Lower Taxes
7:40 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
A bona-fide health food store with fresh, organic (local if possible) fruits and vegetables would be great. As the public learns about the poor quality and safety of our standard food supply, this type of store becomes more important to our health.
Kim
8:55 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
I'm with you Richard! A health food / farmer's market, where local farmers can sell their goods.
mandm1
9:17 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
East Tokyo's hibachi tables were dirty and staff was nasty! Very hard to say what should go in, the rents are high and a good example of this is Pastel's which has been empty for five years already. Another reason why we don't need a mall going in!!
Christina D.
9:35 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Ditto, mandm1!
Tina Moyer
11:25 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Agreed! Food just kept getting worse and the staff, unbelievably cross. Nor did they feel the need to support the community of their customers You could not have paid me to go in there over the past few years. Rent was the least of their issues although a good point that there are few stores that have been vacant for some time. A mall will take even more away from local businesses.
Susie
9:26 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
I'd like to see a local hardware store go in there.
Mitchell Livingston
9:35 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
When all these stores become vacant then maybe the A & P Management will come back down to earth and realize that the rent they are charging is not justified. Pastels has never reopened either. The owner told me that A&P wanted $10,000 per month. The money is just not there at this location to justify these rents.
Jayne Sagliano
12:01 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
The owner of Pastels left numerous unpaid bills. From food vendors , laundry gas and utilities the owner left numerous unpaid bills. It wasn't just the rent. The restaurant was over priced and poorly managed.
Mike Kupchik
6:43 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Obvious the failing A&P group mimics government logic. They don't seem to realize that more occupied spots will help their bottom line, even though the current results are less than projected. They must have no survival plan?
Bob Rama
8:27 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
East Toyko hibachi had gone wayyyyy downhill since it opened. That was probably part of the problem, too. They also shouldn't have done that expansion a few years ago.
Cynthia Quinn
4:23 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Local hardware store with home depot down the street and 2 privately owned ones in Ramsey along with 1 in Suffern will not work. The A & P will 'not' allow competition with a farmers market and health foods store next door. I'm sure it is in their contract. The landlord can take a tax write off with empty stores. They are not worried but we should be!
Mike
11:39 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
A&P changed the management in the Grocery store also. Use to be a friendly place to shop, now it is cold. Pastels has been empty for years. A&P better wake up or Close Up completely.
therentstoohigh
9:22 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
I told you the rents too damn high.