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Japan Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Off-hours property rentals take off in Hiroshima
The number of businesses making use of off-hours space rental — offering meal services by renting a restaurant during its off hours — are recently growing in the city of Hiroshima and other locations. Such leases are beneficial for both sides as renting a space, rather than taking on a property, can reduce the cost of initial capital investment in starting a business and minimize losses if the business should fail, while those letting out the space can earn extra income. In some cases, people who started their business in a rental space then went on to open their own place. Such a business practice is believed to have initially spread in metropolitan areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants were hit by virus-containment measures. People lined up in front of a yakiniku barbecue restaurant one day in mid-May during the lunch hour rush in the Ginzancho district of Hiroshima, known as a nightlife area. During lunch time, the place is operated by Magari Mengyo Arayashiki, a ramen shop that rents the space from the barbecue restaurant Sumibiyaki Nishio, which is only open at night. After starting operations in February, the ramen shop's medium-thick noodles in a clear broth gained a reputation on social media. There are now days when the 50 bowls of ramen available get sold out. 'I can use the tables and kitchen as they are, so I only needed a bit more than ¥1 million ($6,900) to start the business,' said Shu Yamamoto, 42, who runs the ramen shop. 'It could have cost me 10 times more if I'd opened a location.' He said he learned of off-hours rentals when he spent three years working and training as a chef at a ramen shop in Tokyo. 'It would be too risky if I started off owning a restaurant, because I couldn't be sure if customers would come,' Yamamoto said. 'This way, I can prepare to open my own restaurant while paying attention to customers' reactions (to the food).' Daisuke Nishio, 42, the owner of Sumibiyaki Nishio who is renting out the property, was Yamamoto's high school classmate. 'I want to support my friend taking on new challenges,' Nishio said. 'It's a win-win for both of us because I can receive rental income.' In the city of Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, Satsuki Yoshiki started Komebiyori, a take-out onigiri (rice ball) service, in January by renting the space that is home to Telly, a baked confectionery shop. Yoshiki, 42, sought to realize her long-held dream of opening a restaurant now her child has grown up, but had difficulties finding the right place. Ai Yabushita, 42, the owner of Telly, is a friend of Yoshiki's. After consulting with Yabushita, Yoshiki decided to start her business by renting a space at Yabushita's place during her off hours. On some days, Telly and Komebiyori operate together. 'Many of my customers got to know my service through Telly,' Yoshiki said. 'I'm grateful I could take my first step blessed with a good environment.' Opting to rent a shop during its off hours comes with its own challenges, however. For example, renters and those who rent out the space have to share the responsibilities of fire prevention, hygiene control and facility management, among other things. And according to the Hiroshima Municipal Government's food guidance division, those starting a restaurant business need to receive a business license at a local public health center even if they are renting a place during its off hours. A man who opened a curry shop in Hiroshima's Naka Ward last year after operating at an off-hours rental property for two years, pointed to risks of hygiene and financial troubles. 'If issues come up, it will cause trouble for lenders,' he said. 'It is important to sign a deal with someone with whom you have established mutual trust.' He tried operating in three different rental places in the ward one after another, including an izakaya bar owned by an acquaintance, to gain fans of his curry before opening his own restaurant. '(Thanks to being able to rent the spaces,) I could open my own restaurant at the best place and opening hours that fit me,' he said. 'I couldn't have come this far only with my own network of personal connections.' This section features topics and issues covered by the Chugoku Shimbun, the largest newspaper in the Chugoku region. The original article was published May 16.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canfield restaurant listed for sale
CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) – The Pour House Bar & Grill in Canfield has been listed for sale. According to Platz Realty Group, the owner — who has been in the restaurant business for over 50 years — is ready to retire, but will train the new owner. The restaurant is located on Starrs Centre Drive, near the corner of Route 224 and Lockwood Boulevard. The Pour House in Poland, which is not affiliated with the Canfield location, says it is still open. Jerica Rogers contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
