A new location of Five Guys is slated to enter the East Village soon.
The international fast-casual burger chain has approximately 1,700 outposts worldwide with over 30 in New York City. The newest East Village outpost is going to take over the space formerly occupied by Strings Ramen, which closed in April 2022 after two years in business, opening at the top of the Coronavirus pandemic. This location has proven to be difficult to keep open with nearly half a dozen restaurants making quick departures since the rent hike in January 2014, which forced out an old-time beloved sushi spot, Shima, according to EVGrieve.
The Murrell brothers debuted Five Guys in the 90s, opening the first five locations in the D.C. metropolitan area between 1998-2001. By 2002, the team began franchising throughout the greater D.C. area in both Virginia and Maryland. Now, it has over 1,700 stores worldwide.
While this is great news for the ever-growing international franchise, some locals expressed frustration that the former neighborhood spot is being replaced by a big corporation.
“Ew, no thanks. Wish it was another ramen shop,” one user wrote on EVGrieve’s post. “Place is getting flooded with fast food joints to cater to the drunk crowds.”
“From Shima to this? We’re on one big downward slide,” another user wrote.
