For the longest time, Ravenna has been best known for its Italian food. According to multi-business owner Jermaine Justice, it was time to introduce a different type of cuisine to the community and he has done so by opening a YOI Hibachi Express, the first Hibachi restaurant in the history of Ravenna, and officially held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday afternoon to commemorate its first week of business.
“When I ride around in different places, all you see is Hibachi Expresses all around and instead of people having to go and dine out, they should be able to go in and have carry out,” Justice told The Weekly Villager. “It is something that you cannot cook every day at home.”
Among some of the attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce President Ryann Cline, Mayor Frank Seman, Portage County Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennett and Economic Development Director Dennis West.
Cline was vocal in her support of Justice’s efforts to bring the popular Japanese cuisine to Ravenna.
“They are doing a great job and everybody seems to be pleased,” Cline told The Weekly Villager. “I hope that they will stay here for a long period of time and that they will be successful.”
Justice, who already owns two restaurants in Ravenna, Gionino’s Pizza and Bar 130, said that he has never been satisfied with the status quo and has always wanted to do more for his hometown. He previously owned a hot dog restaurant in the location where YOI Hibachi Express now stands but closed it several months ago. Justice remembered that he had been advised to open a Hibachi restaurant several years ago but did not seize that opportunity.
He is finally taking that step and bringing a new type of food to Ravenna.
Justice said that the restaurant’s transformation only took one-and-a-half months because he already had most the equipment necessary to open a Hibachi restaurant and needed only a few new items such as a rice cooker and a rice warmer.
He co-owns the Hibachi restaurant with his business partner, Preston Stewart, who is the owner and CEO of Precision Roofing Contractors of America, a full-service contracting company that serves Portage County.
It is not the only Hibachi restaurant in Portage County, but Justice said that what separates YOI Hibachi Express from the rest is the quality of meat.
“We are just adding a little bit of different things to it and cooking it a little differently, that is all,” Justice said. “It is all about the same, but you just have to put in your spin and twist to it. I buy better quality meat for one. Normally you use a beef knuckle, but I use a top sirloin so that way it will be a better steak because I want you to have a better steak and chew it in a couple of bites as well.”
Being a self-starter is something that has come naturally for Justice, who left school when he was in the 10th grade to start his own business. Justice said that by the time he was in high school, he already knew he wanted to create his own legacy and be his own boss. He added that it was important to him that when he eventually started a family, he would be able to make his own hours and spend time with his children rather than be tied to a strict work schedule.
He also prided himself on being a people person and ensuring that everyone around him was always enjoying themselves.
Justice has a diverse portfolio as a business owner, beginning when he started a chain of car detailing shops around the area. Although they closed during the early 2000s, he soon became the proud owner of a Gionino’s
Justice said that even though he had limited experience owning restaurants, the principle was still the same.
“I don’t really know how to explain it, but it is something you already know how to do because you just know how to do it and did it before,” he said. “It is easy but hard at the same time.”
Justice has owned Gionino’s for 17 years and also has owned Bar 130 for seven years. Although his hot dog restaurant closed its doors, he is continuing to bring new business to Ravenna with YOI Hibachi Express being his latest venture.
