Namiko’s Sushi and Japanese Restaurant opened in 1988, nearly 33 years ago, in Arvada. The founder, Yuri Chandonnet, worked for multiple restaurants in Japan before moving to the United States and deciding to start a business she could leave to her daughter. Yuri gathered money from her friends, borrowed money from her mother, and started Namiko’s in a 1,500 square foot space.
We talked to owner Namiko Eshima about her mother’s legacy, navigating a challenging business year, and how the restaurant became a beloved staple of the Arvada community.