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Barbershop Transformed into Soulful Hibachi Lounge
10 Feb
Summary
- Two friends transformed an old barbershop into a unique hibachi restaurant.
- Yakitori Hibachi Lounge fuses Japanese hibachi with soul food flavors.
- The owners invested heavily, even selling personal items to establish the business.
A former barbershop in Roselawn has been reimagined as Yakitori Hibachi Lounge, a unique Black-owned restaurant offering a fusion of Japanese hibachi and soul food. Co-owners Jason Chapman and Kenneth Bibb, childhood friends and Cincinnati natives, aimed to bring a distinct culinary experience to their community, which they noted lacked dining options.
The duo undertook extensive renovations themselves, turning the old barbershop into their "urban hibachi lounge." This labor-intensive process included working for two years without revenue and selling personal assets, such as Chapman's motorcycle, to sustain their dream. They officially opened Yakitori in June 2023.
