Locals rally behind NYC small business owner who is taking on Wegmans

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Yuji Haraguchi said he first heard of Wegmans’ new fish market when a customer congratulated him on opening a branch of his fish market in the grocery chain’s much-anticipated Astor Place location. 

The only problem – Haraguchi hadn’t partnered with the Wegmans. 

Haraguchi’s customer had confused Wegmans’ new fish market Sakanaya – which means “fish market” in Japanese – with Haraguchi’s business, Osakana, a few blocks away on St. Mark’s Place, Haraguchi said. 

It’s a coincidence that Haraguchi thinks is anything but – and now thousands are supporting his lawsuit claiming Wegmans was complicit in a scheme to rip off his business. 

“They have to be responsible to coexist with small businesses in New York City,” Haraguchi said of the grocery store giant. “I want the public to know that this is what a multi-billion dollar company did against a minority owned small business like myself.”

As of Monday, over 2,400 supporters signed a change.org petition that details how three related companies, Culimer USA, Culinary Collaborations and Red Shell Sushi, allegedly entered exclusive negotiations to buy Osakana – just to turn around and take Haraguchi’s confidential information over to Wegmans’ Sakanaya, according to the claim and petition.

A representative of Wegmans told PIX11 News the grocery chain is aware of the lawsuit but confident the claims have “no merit.” 

“At Wegmans, we are committed to offering our customers the freshest, highest-quality seafood in our stores.  We are proud of our 14+ year relationship with Uoriki, which has elevated our seafood and sushi program across the company, including at our Astor Place store.  We are aware that a lawsuit has been filed against us regarding our fish market, SAKANAYA, within our Astor Place store.  We are confident that the claims against Wegmans are without merit."

a representative of Wegmans.

But Haraguchi said Sakanaya is “confusingly similar” to his shop that he opened in 2016. It’s just three blocks away, uses a similar font and branding, and touts itself as “a fish market unlike any other.” 

After reassurances, Haraguchi was sure Osakana would be safe – until Culimer USA unexpectedly pulled out of the potential sale just over a month after the company launched Sakanaya with Wegmans. Haraguchi said they left him with little time to organize an alternate option for selling the business before his planned move to Hawaii. 

The restaurant industry veteran is aware he’ll struggle going toe-to-toe with Wegmans; it’s a fight he was not eager to pursue. And, in a competitive market, Haraguchi knows it’s sometimes better to let some offenses slide. 

But in a city so difficult to survive in, Haraguchi said he is fighting for small businesses everywhere. 

“They know that a small business owner like myself won't be able to afford to take any legal action against a multi-billion dollar corporation such as Wegman[s]. But I have to protect my business, my employees, and my family,” Haraguchi wrote in the Change.org petition.

His story is resonating with small business owners who wonder, “what if that happens to me,” Haraguchi said. 

“Small businesses struggle everyday to stay afloat and it’s important we support them. The foundation of our country and lives are based in what small businesses created for us,” wrote Dina D’Alessandro on the petition.

A dream come true

For Haraguchi, Osakana is a symbol of how far he’s come. 

“I always dreamed of opening a restaurant since I was in college,” Haraguchi said. 

It’s a dream he has lived out multiple times since he immigrated to Boston after studying in Japan – including highly regarded New York City eateries Okonomi and Yuji Ramen. 

He started with nothing and built his food empire over a decade with help from his community via Kickstarter campaigns along the way, Haraguchi said.

After multiple successful runs in New York City, Haraguchi had decided to start over again in Hawaii come April, but he didn’t want to abandon Osakana. 

The alleged scheme nearly threw a wrench in Haraguchi’s pending move and threatens Osakana’s potential to grow, Haraguchi said. Now, he’ll run the shop remotely and rely on his employees to man the ship. 

“I’m very excited to start something new again,” Haraguchi said.