Following the 2016 closure of the appropriately named Konbini inside East End Market in Audubon Park, this city went without a Japanese-style convenience store for nearly a decade. Then, earlier this month, UniMart, the one-stop shop from chef William Shen of 2-Michelin star Sorekara, debuted inside Mills Market. Excitable hordes flocked to snag everything from fried chicken and bento boxes to sweet and savory Japanese snacks and imported beverages.
So popular has the concept been for Shen and James Beard Award-nominated restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung that a second UniMart konbini has been announced, this one in Winter Park.
And that’s a convenience truth.
UniMart No. 2 will open this December in the Center of Winter Park plaza at 501 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 227 (map). It will be situated next to Light on the Sugar, another venture backed by the Tungs, and just two doors down from the restaurant that started it all for the high-flying brothers, Bento Asian Kitchen.
The 1,000-square-foot space will be significantly larger than the UniMart inside Mills Market and offer a broader range of foodstuffs, beyond the konbini fried chicken, bento boxes, freshly prepared sushi, Japanese snacks and other grab-and-go items.
The Winter Park location will sell matcha and soft serve as well as fresh produce, with an emphasis on Japanese fruits. If you’re thinking such luxury novelties as $3 Nashi sand pears, a $19 Ibaraki strawberry or a $150 Crown melon will stock the shelves of this space, you’d be right.
But, no, there won’t be an ATM inside the store.
Guests can also expect to see a variety of omiyage, Japanese souvenirs and specialty gifts traditionally shared with friends and family after traveling.
Additional UniMarts are also being planned, says Johnny Tung. “Konbinis thrive with more locations and a central commisary,” he says. “We’re looking at UCF, Lake Nona and Winter Garden, as well as anywhere that is a walkable neighborhood like Baldwin Park, Park Avenue, Disney Springs and Audubon Park.”
Audubon Park, eh? Hey, maybe we’ll see a konbini back inside East End Market after all.
In the meantime, follow @unimartfl and unimartfl.com for all the latest updates and info.
