{"id":175141,"date":"2026-03-02T16:41:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/175141\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T16:41:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:41:10","slug":"unimart-a-japanese-konbini-will-form-the-next-phase-of-mills-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/175141\/","title":{"rendered":"UniMart, a Japanese konbini, will form the next phase of Mills Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since Mark Berdin, Jennifer Banagale and Lordfer Lalicon shuttered their charming Japanese convenience store<\/a>, appropriately called Konbini, inside East End Market, the city has been without a one-stop shop for Japanophiles to get their fried chicken on.<\/p>\n

But that decade-long wait is almost over because this summer, William Shen \u2014 chef-owner of 2 Michelin-star Sorekara as well as Mills Market concepts Zaru, UniGirl, Cowboy Curry and Okonomi \u2014 will debut his konbini inside the bustling food hub.<\/p>\n

\"\"Konbini inside East End Market Credit: East End Market<\/p>\n

\u201cBuilding Orlando a konbini store is a special project for us because of how many memories it serves me and the joy I know it will bring to our guests,\u201d said Shen.<\/p>\n

Guests can expect to find an array of Japanese snacks and goods, plus freshly prepared to-go fare like tamago sandos, konbini fried chicken, bento boxes and everything in between. I\u2019m hoping Shen\u2019s curry hash browns make an appearance.<\/p>\n

\"\"Curry hash browns Credit: Faiyaz Kara<\/p>\n

Mills Market co-founder and James Beard-nominated restaurateur Johnny Tung<\/a> says paying a visit to a konbini in Japan was a bucket-list moment for him and, with UniMart, he \u201cwanted to bring a slice of that experience back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The convenience store will be situated next to Okonomi<\/a>, Shen\u2019s 10-seat sushi counter, and will keep the same hours as Mills Market \u2014 that is, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"\"Mills Market Credit: Faiyaz Kara<\/p>\n

The market will also debut Em Fleur, a flower shop specializing in modern Asian floral artistry, and Karats by Kim, a rebrand of Tien Hung Jewelry.<\/p>\n

Be sure to follow @Unimartfl<\/a>, @EmFleurBloomBar<\/a> and @KaratsbyKimJewelry<\/a> for all the latest.<\/p>\n

Orlando\u2019s daily dose of what matters. Subscribe to The Daily Weekly.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"UniMart,\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tSorekara\u2019s William Shen will open a quick-eats convenience store inside the bustling food hub and market\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Downtown\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tShut it down \u2026 no wait, we mean open it up!\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Q\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe eight-seat counter-style omakase experience will focus on seasonal Japanese fish and premium ingredients\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

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