ANDREW SHAKONGTSANG stands in a new 6,024 squarefoot space in the Topsham Fair Mall that he and his business partner will soon transform into a Kume Japanese Steakhouse. It shares the building with Sherwin-Williams and Sport Clips.
The question of who will nab the remaining space in developer Dan Catlin’s complex at 86 Topsham Fair Mall Road — home to a Sherwin-Williams Paint Store and a Sport Clips — has been answered.
Friday, Catlin met with business partners and future tenants Andrew Shakongtsang and Allen Chen of New Hampshire, who plan to open a Kume in the remaining 6,024- square-foot space. Kume is a sushi, hibachi and steakhouse with a focus on Japanese cuisine.
The Topsham restaurant will be their eighth restaurant, and the second in Maine. There is also a Kume in Augusta.
Shakongtsang estimated the restaurant will need 25 employees per shift and many positions will be filled locally as much as possible. There could be upwards of 50 or 60 people on the payroll, although experienced staff will be help the restaurant underway.
The Kume restaurant is characterized as a restaurant within a restaurant. Kume Japanese steakhouses feature three concepts — a Japanese hibachi grill, a sushi bar and an expansive contemporary main dining room with a full bar.
Shakongtsang said the food is very fresh and at the hibachi grill, patrons see their meals prepared right in front of their eyes.
In addition to hibachi, customers can dine on fried tempura, teriyaki and also sushi.
The interior of the restaurants are extravagant, with colorful lighting and unique Japanese granite Chen will order for the tables.
“It’s almost like a little Las Vegas in Topsham,” Shakongtsang said.
Catlin said this will be an extensive build-out as the restaurant will have a very contemporary Japanese feel. A mid-fall opening is anticipated.
“Everyone is excited,” Catlin said. “Anything that comes to this area, everybody embraces.”
Chen happened to jump off Interstate 295 in Topsham to get gas when he saw the large “for lease” sign on Catlin’s building. It seemed like a nice spot in a nice area, he said.
The six-screen Smitty’s Cinema opposite Topsham Fair Mall Road from the future Kume has created a nighttime trade within Topsham, Catlin said, and stores like Hannaford Supermarket and Target really anchor the mall. Across the river in Brunswick, Bowdoin College and the Maine State Music Theater also add to the local restaurant market.
Friday, Chen was excited to be opening up the new location in Topsham. Right now, their plan is to keep their growing restaurant chain in New England.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
