Maki Shop Closing 14th St. Location in Logan Circle

From a press release:

“Maki Shop will close the doors of its retail location this month but that doesn’t mean its fans will have to say sayonara to their beloved Asian-inspired bites – in fact, your favorite maki hand roll may more accessible than ever.

Since launching in 2015, the brand’s Japanese fare has become a favorite of heath-focused Washingtonians and foodies alike. The recent success of their hand rolls being sold at places like Compass Coffee coupled with some new partnerships convinced co-owner Todd Ciuba that it would be best to shift away from retail. (In addition to Compass Coffee, select Maki Shop products are currently available at Union Kitchen Grocery, Georgetown University and NPR’s Sound Bite Café.)

The decision to close the brick and mortar store was a strategic one that will allow the Maki Shop’s owners to focus on and embrace the widespread demand for their products in a different way. The portability and affordability of the brand’s most popular items – the maki hand rolls – are an ideal match for wholesale distribution.

In addition to increasing their presence in grocery stores, coffee shops and boutique food retailers, Maki Shop may soon be popping up in vending machines, movie theaters and ballparks, thanks to some new and evolving partnerships.

Much of the Maki Shop menu will continue to be available for regular delivery via Caviar and Postmates; the catering arm of the business will also remain fully intact via TryHungry.com, Foodify.com and through Maki Shop directly.

At their core, the company is a lifestyle brand whose focus is not only to offer consumers quick and healthy alternatives but also to help them to lead more health-conscious lives. “In creating the Maki Shop concept, we were very much influenced by Japanese food, culture and their way of life,” says Ciuba. “In addition to offering customers healthy options on the go, we are also focused on educating people about the nutritional benefits of our products and introducing them to ingredients they may not otherwise get to try.” The company’s goal, Ciuba says, is to increase the availability of Maki Shop products to a level that makes them the effortless choice for healthy, fast, delicious food nationwide.”