ONTARIO, Ohio — Three restaurants are coming to Ontario this summer, inhabiting vacant buildings that formerly housed eateries.
People will soon have the chance to dine at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse, located in the former Chi-Chi’s restaurant on West Fourth Street; Old Carolina Barbecue Company, located in the former Popeyes Chicken restaurant on West Fourth Street; and an ice cream/barbecue restaurant in the former Good Times Drive-in on Park Avenue West.
Ninja Japanese Steakhouse’s owner, “Lita,” said she hopes to have the restaurant open this July. Currently, the restaurant is undergoing a complete renovation. It will have 10 hibachis, a sushi bar, and booth seating.
“We always looked around this area, and I think it’s a good place to open a restaurant,” she said, adding, “It’s popular enough to carry this business.”
She said they plan to hire 10-15 people and that interested parties may obtain applications by visiting the restaurant at 2284 W. 4th St.
Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson confirmed that renovations are ongoing at 2035 W. 4th St., where Old Carolina Barbecue Company is setting up shop.
He said the owners intend to open this July.
As for the ice cream/barbecue restaurant at 1740 Park Ave. W., Hutchinson said he’s unsure of when exactly it will open.
A sign outside the location says, “Coming soon ice cream and BBQ.”
All of these restaurants are new to the area, Hutchinson said.
“We’re always looking forward to future growth,” he said. “It’s nice to see the old businesses repurposed and cleaned up–that’s always exciting.”
He had previously mentioned that the city is aggressively seeking new business, but “these places came on their own,” he said, “which says a lot about the area.”
