Zach Weprin | Dayton937

FUSIAN, a fan-favorite fast-casual sushi restaurant, will open a Centerville location in the Spring of 2015. The new location will occupy 1800 square feet at Oak Creek Crossing, a mixed-use retail development on SR-725 that will also be home to Whole Foods. “When ﬁnding real estate it’s all about timing,” said Co-Founder, Zach Weprin. “We’ve been very patient and strategic in the Dayton area, and we think we’ve found the perfect spot for our brand. It’s been worth the wait.”

Founders Stephan C. Harman, Zach Weprin and Josh Weprin.

Founded in 2010, by Dayton natives Josh Weprin, Zach Weprin and Stephan Harman, FUSIAN has become a favorite not only for its new take on sushi, but also for it’s commitment to the local community, sustainability, and a superior sushi dining experience. In the last year-and-a-half, they have created a Sushi in Schools program which serves sushi to 18 regional High School cafeterias. “It’s created an amazing bond between us and our communities,” says co-founder Josh Weprin. “We created something that has united kids, their parents, school administrators, and FUSIAN through something that is very familial; food. It’s been nothing short of amazing!” “Dayton is where we grew up!” said co-founder Stephan Harman. “With our store on Brown Street and now a store in Centerville, our roots are only getting stronger here.”

FUSIAN positions itself in the fast-casual arena as an accessible option for both sushi veterans and newcomers alike. Diners are offered traditional and modern sushi rolls with signature proteins such as raw tuna, salmon, and yellowtail as well as roasted chicken and braised steak. “We like to tell people, if you love sushi, you’ll love FUSIAN, if you’ve never had sushi, you’ll love FUSIAN!” says Josh Weprin, “It’s our way to encourage people to rethink sushi.” FUSIAN is committed to sourcing superior ingredients, promoting positive health, and afﬁrming social responsibility. Additionally, FUSIAN accommodates diners with most food allergies and dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, as well as offering vegan, and vegetarian options.

The founders set out to create a place where discerning diners could eat everyday. They sought a place that broke down sushi stereotypes and misconceptions in an engaging and interactive environment. On the FUSIAN experience, co-founder Stephan Harman expressed that, “It starts with what your eating but it doesn’t stop there…” he adds, “You’ve got ﬁve senses, and we feel that the FUSIAN experience is best crafted when you use all of them. We like good music, great food, and great attitudes… it’s what unites our customers with our team, our food, and our community.”

FUSIAN has accrued many accolades regionally including, “Dayton’s Best Sushi” in 2012, 4 Best of Cincy mentions and one of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Top 10 under 10” in 2011.

Follow FUSIAN’s journey at facebook.com/eatfusian and fusian.com

Introducing FUSIAN, brilliantly fresh and cleverly affordable, this self-described “easy.casual.sushi” eatery is set to open in a mere two weeks on the University of Dayton campus. The new opening at University Place 1200 Brown Street adjacent to Pot Belly Sandwich Works and across from Panera Bread is the second home of FUSIAN, whose original store has been satisfying sushi-loving Cincinnatians since its opening in 2010.

Colorful, comfortable and exceptionally environmentally friendly, this interactive sushi eatery was created by three childhood friends and Oakwood Alumni with the inspiration to create “simple, fresh and affordable sushi dining.” Stephan Harman and brothers Josh Weprin and Zach Weprin founded FUSIAN to negate the myth that fast, casual food, while oftentimes delicious, must always be awful for your body. Instead, the trio wanted to create wholesome, healthy food made from fresh, local ingredients that could be as fantastic on your waistline as it was for your taste buds. Not to mention, FUSIAN’s menu items are all $10 or less, a blessing upon the wallet of a college kid as well as the everyday famished customer.

I spoke with co-founder and University of Dayton Alum (’08) Stephan Harman who explained FUSIAN as “Feel good food,” adding that FUSIAN is an experience where customers “Eat with their eyes”. FUSIAN’s diverse menu, which offers organic, locally grown, and vegan/vegetarian-friendly ingredients as well as seasonal items such as strawberries, peaches and mangos certainly caught my eye as well as my appetite. FUSIAN creates an enjoyable, fun experience for each customer, setting the fresh ingredients right in front of the ordering individual, Subway/Chipotle-style. Their customizable, “build-to-order” sushi rolls and all-natural bubble smoothies have also won several prestigious awards including a “Best of Cincinnati” mention last year as well as this year’s recognition by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce as one of “Cincinnati’s Top 10 Companies under 10 Employees.”

“We are not your typical sushi restaurant,” said Co-founder Zach Weprin. “We serve many modern alternatives in addition to traditional raw options such as soy wraps filled with braised steak and baked chicken along with fresh vegetables.” With a menu as lively and delicious as FUSIAN, it’s not difficult to believe that the founders like Stephan Harman have never tried the same roll twice.

In regards to their brand new location on UD’s campus, Harman explained, “We love Dayton. We’ve received a tremendous amount of support from our friends and family in Dayton and feel that UD is an ideal place for us to share our brand, our food, and our lifestyle with the community.” The trio-team has made sushi not only affordable but also highly convenient in a strip with a constant bustle of people previously devoid of sushi. FUSIAN’s fresh presence upon Brown Street’s dining avenue has already created an eager buzz among curious college students and Dayton inhabitants alike.

“We’re very excited to bring FUSIAN to Dayton and to be a part of our hometown community, said Co-founder Josh Weprin. “We think businesses can and should have a positive impact in the communities they serve.” The establishment of a friendly, social dining experience with plenty of nearby seating, a happily helpful staff, and handpicked music playing all the while, Dayton is sure to be captivated by FUSIAN’s atmosphere as well as its food. When asked what to order two weeks from now when FUSIAN graces Brown Street with its fresh and inventive presence, Stephan Harman encouraged, “Go crazy, get creative. If you like avocados, throw on some avocados. If you like crab, pick your crab. Look right in front of you and eat with your eyes, you can’t go wrong.”

As part of their pre-opening hype FUSIAN is running a facebook promo offering sushi for life. The winner will receive one “roll” a week for the rest of the winner’s life.

FUSIAN will be located at 1200 Brown St. Dayton OH, 45409.

p. 937.223.5173
f. 937.223.5149

hours:
monday-friday 11a – 10p
saturday-sunday 11a – 10p

Second FUSIAN Location Coming to Centerville

Sushi Coming To Brown Street