Bonsai Sushi Owner Sees FishHawk as New Frontier

Jung Patton is in some sense back to where she started.

The 49-year old South Korean entrepreneur is the owner of one of Tampa’s best known sushi restaurants, Bonsai Sushi. However, here in FishHawk Ranch, her eatery is a new concept. Much like when she opened the doors of her first Bonsai Sushi restaurant in the University area of Tampa in 2001, she is getting to know the community.

“We just opened about a month ago, but we are already having getting some regular customers," Patton said of her restaurant, at 16144 Churchview Dr. in Lithia. "I've been meeting people who know my other stores but for most people it's new. It's interesting because I'm having to get to know a new area like it's my first business again."

Patton moved to the Tampa area from South Korea in 1989 and three years later was the owner of a Chinese restaurant. She had inherited that business from its previous owners, but after several years of hard work and giving birth to one of her two sons, Patton decided to do her own thing.

In 2001, she dove into sushi and created the first Bonsai concept, a popular staple of North Tampa's diet for six years following her opening. But eventually, the clientele that surrounded her store couldn’t keep up with the cost, and Patton began to weigh her options.

“I thought about moving, but other states are too cold," Patton said. "I like it in Tampa. This is my home. I've been here a long time and I know the community. The more I thought about it, I didn't want to leave."

Eventually she decided to stay and found a new home for Bonsai in Wesley Chapel. Her second store was built on much of the success of the first. Her customers followed, and the area provided more promise. On any given Friday night, the restaurant to this day serves up to 300 customers.

When the opportunity to open a store in the FishHawk area presented itself, Patton took it, opting for the location at the Park Square shopping center, where business has been steadily growing as she once again builds her name in a new community.

“I think this area is going to be good for us," Patton said. "It's been slow going, and it's a lot different from the other areas. We already had a name built up when we opened my second store in Wesley Chapel but with this one we are starting from scratch, so it reminds a lot of the original Bonsai."

Bonsai’s prices have always been reasonable given the quality of the food served. Brandishing some the freshest sushi in the bay area, Bonsai has been known for years as a great place to pick up an authentic roll or quality cut of fish.

For Patton, the transition into learning the FishHawk area is a tremendous growth opportunity.

“It's a new challenge," Patton said. "Having a new business is like having a new baby. I hope to make this business a valued part of this community, and I think we're seeing good signs because business is growing fast."

For more information on Bonsai Sushi, visit tampasushi.com or call 813-685-3322.

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