Markeshia Ricks
Officials join Pokémoto owners to cut the ribbon …
… and City Deputy Economic Development Director Steve Fontana grabs lunch.
Things were getting a little crowded at the Pokémoto location on Audubon, so the rapidly expanding chain has opened a second location at Chapel Street near York.
On Tuesday the owners Thomas Nguyen and Gladys Longwa were joined by Yale University and city officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Pokémoto’s new 1145 Chapel St. location.
Nguyen said two factors influenced the decision to open a second location: The demand at the Audubon location and the needs of student-customers making the schlep from other parts of the city to get a bowl. The draw? Quick fresh food served with a nod to Hawaii. (Click here to read more about the poké craze that has swept New Haven in part because of Pokémoto.)
“It’s been very difficult to keep up with all the traffic,” he said. “And there were lots of students who didn’t want to come all the way to Audubon.”
The prep space for building poké bowls.
Nguyen, a UConn grad who started the chain here in Connecticut and grown it to six locations, has his sights on making his chain as well known as some of the others in the fast-casual market. In addition to Connecticut, the chain has a location in Massachusetts. Pokémoto’s site says there are plans to open five more locations in other parts of Connecticut, two more in Massachusetts and two in Rhode Island. The first New Haven location opened nearly two years ago.
Fontana’s colorful vegetarian poké bowl.
Lauren Zucker, associate vice president and director of New Haven affairs for Yale, told those gathered for Tuesday’s ceremony that she was not at all surprised by the expansion. Business is booming at the Audubon location.
“Pokémoto joins a growing list of locally owned restaurants … at the Shops at Yale,” she said. Those include restaurants like Crepe Choupette, Claire’s Cornercopia, and Midpoint Istanbul, she noted.
Mayor Toni Harp said Pokémoto’s expansion in New Haven particularly, and in New England generally, tells her the owners are on to something.
“I’m so pleased New Haven has staked out its claim on what appears to be a popular and growing taste sensation,” she said.
Click the play button to see a video of remarks before the ceremony.
This year's Business Model.