Beloved Vestal Restaurant Loses Site It’s Occupied for 23 Years
A popular Broome County restaurant is being forced to close its doors after out-of-state developers bought their building for a $69 million redevelopment project.
The Fuji San Japanese restaurant in Vestal will shut down operations at the site it has called home for more than two decades.
The business is located at the Quality Inn hotel on the Vestal Parkway. The property is being sold by Gokulesh Hospitality of Connecticut to Aptitude Acquisition of New Jersey.
A sign posted at the entrance to the restaurant states that Fuji San will be permanently closing at that location "due to urban redevelopment plans beyond our control."
Aptitude Acquisition plans to demolish the existing hotel and restaurant to clear the site for a luxury apartment complex.
The new five-story building to be constructed at the property across from the Binghamton University campus will have 197 units. The development also will have amenities for residents and some commercial space.
A handwritten note from the operators of Fuji San acknowledges "this is a difficult farewell." But it adds "we are actively seeking a new location to continue serving you."
The message also said: "We extend our deepest gratitude for your support over the past 23 years."
The owners of Fuji San could not be reached to discuss their plans to set up operations at another site.
According to the note to its customers, Fuji San will close on Monday. The demolition of the building is scheduled to start a week later.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
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