Ota-Ya is preparing to permanently close after more than three decades in business on July 3. The restaurant had originally planned to close on June 28 but later extended operations through July 3.
Beloved Newtown Dining Spot Ota-Ya Set to Close
Ota-Ya located in Newtown, a suburb in the Philadelphia metro area, has served Japanese cuisine for more than 31 years. Owned and operated by Jeff Wong and Cindy, the restaurant has been a dining gem for the community.
The menu features sushi rolls, tempura, and other traditional Japanese dishes. With an official social media announcement, the restaurant shared the news of its closing.
On June 12, the restaurant announced that it would close, “Our final day of service will be 6/28. We hope you’ll stop by before then so we can thank you in person,” said the team.
However, according to a recent Facebook post, the restaurant team has pushed the closing date to July 3. The team explained, “Due to some scheduling requirements, our closing timeline has been adjusted slightly.”
Ota-Ya plans to host farewell dinner services from July 1 through July 3. The restaurant encouraged customers to visit before the final day of service.
Owners’ Retirement Plan Led the Closure
The owners of the restaurant, Jeff and Cindy, have decided to step away from the restaurant, according to a report by Patch. The article also mentioned that the owners want to spend more time with their family. The property’s owners are reportedly planning to redevelop the site.
“It’s a blessing in disguise because it will give them some time off to enjoy life and reconnect with family in Malaysia while not having the stress of the restaurant. And I think our customers understand as much as it hurts,” stated the report.
As Ota-Ya prepares to close, the Philadelphia community loses a notable staple from its dining scene.
