Japanese way of life retailer Ebisu opens immediately in Seven Corners

The Seven Corners retailer that when housed a Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts is getting a makeover as a brand new Japanese way of life retailer full of Hello Kitty and Pokémon plushes and collectible figurines, imported snacks and drinks, magnificence merchandise, and family items.

Ebisu will host its grand opening at 6320 Seven Corners Center at 11 a.m. immediately (Friday). The ribbon-cutting additionally marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and can characteristic a standard lion dance efficiency.

The Northern Virginia location will probably be Ebisu’s third and largest retailer within the D.C. metro space, stated Yu Wang, the native franchise proprietor.

“We feel that American people like Japanese things, so we decided to bring it to the DMV,” stated Wang, a Fairfax resident who grew to become concerned with the chain three years in the past, after it opened a retailer in New York.

The chain focuses on snacks and merchandise which are fashionable in Japan, resembling mochi, a rice cake. It additionally consists of flavors of manufacturers like KitKat and Oreos which are solely made in Japan.

The chain’s aesthetics have generated a variety of chatter on social media in latest weeks, with quite a lot of native accounts posting previews on Instagram and TikTookay.

The again wall is lined with greater than half a dozen vivid claw machines full of plushies. Anime characters characteristic prominently all through the shop, which is known as after the mythological god of luck.

“Ebisu means lucky, so we used his name,” stated Wang, pointing to the mascot wearing purple robes whereas giving a preview tour of the Seven Corners retailer lately.

To rejoice the situation’s launch, Ebisu is providing a variety of promotions by way of May 15, together with reward playing cards, complimentary objects with purchases and unique offers. Some promotions will solely be accessible on the Seven Corners location, whereas others are happening in any respect three D.C.-area shops.

The Osaka, Japan-based chain, which was based in 2013, has 24 areas already open within the U.S. and is rapidly increasing to extra states. Fifteen extra areas are listed as “coming soon” on its web site, together with in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Ohio, and North Carolina.