Hibachi And Sushi Spot Coming Soon, Businesses Booming In Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan officials on Thursday announced another addition to the local business community.

Officials celebrated the soon-to-open Soka Japanese Hibachi and Sushi, coming to 340 W. North St. The restaurant will offer both dine-in and carryout options, officials said.

"We're excited to introduce this new dining experience to our community," officials said in a social media note.

Mayor Mike Adrieansen emphasized his eagerness to see the new restaurant open.

"Manhattan continues to draw attention as a prime location for businesses to thrive," Adrieansen said. "We are dedicated to working with companies who recognize the potential and are eager to contribute to the community's growth."

Owners are eyeing a tentative mid-summer opening, officials said.

It's the latest piece of business news for Manhattan. Earlier in May, boutique owner Sadie Smith West shared she'll open a second location of her popular, Shorewood-based Posh West boutique in downtown Manhattan, at 125 S. State St.

"For a year, I've been thinking about Manhattan," she said. "I looked at a couple places that just weren’t right.

Then she found the space on State.

"That was it," she said. "I knew it was the right spot."

West has set a tentative opening timeline of July.

Also opening its doors soon in Manhattan is barbecue spot Arrowhead Smokeworks, the brainchild of Manhattan resident Mike Bacon.

Bacon, who also owns Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company in New Lenox, had been mulling the idea of a barbecue concept for some time—thinking pop-ups, food trucks, or a small location—when a prior collaboration with the Village of Manhattan came to mind. Bacon had partnered with Manhattan officials previously on themed beer Manhoppenins. At mention that he was seeking space for his newest idea, Village officials said they had just the spot—the original firehouse building, 195 S. State Street at the corner of Park Street and Rt 52.

"I decided to start exploring the option of a side project focused only on a small but interesting BBQ menu as well as catering," Bacon said. The Manhattan resident and Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company owner brainstormed with creative director Matt Sharp.

"It was then Arrowhead Smoke Works was born."

Adrieansen is excited to welcome Bacon's business to town.

"This is a great addition to our community and especially our downtown area," Adrieansen said previously. "We started discussing this opportunity with Arrowhead soon after our downtown development plan was approved in 2023, and we believe this will be a great catalyst for future downtown development."

The Village is the current owner of the building which has been vacant approximately four years. Through an agreement between the Village and the restaurant operators, Bacon will lease the building, giving residents and visitors another food option while generating new revenue for the Village, officials said.

"We are excited to bring our passion for high-quality craft food and beer to Manhattan," Bacon said. "I live in Manhattan and see a great opportunity for BBQ and craft beer in this community. We are grateful to the Mayor and Village Board for being very easy to work with."

Bacon hopes to be open by August.