By Wendy Karpel Kreitzman
Yoshi Hirashima, the longtime owner of Daruma Japanese Restaurant in Great Neck, died in October while visiting in Japan.
The restaurant, which features traditional Japanese food, has been operated by Yoshi Hirashimas and his wife Heidi.
Daruma Restaurant, a close neighbor of the Gold Coast Art Center (formerly the Great Neck Arts Center), proved a welcoming spot for lunch or dinner.
Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen, said: “Yoshi was an outgoing, warm and caring person.”
Rosen said he knew Hirashima for over 30 years “and I do not remember a time that I saw him without a smile on his face and always asking how I was.”
Rosen said that Daruma Restaurant was, and continues to be, one of the longest-operating and most successful restaurants in the village.
“Success has been due to its excellent food and the desire of its customers to see Yoshi,” he said.
Rosen said Hirashima was “committed to the success of the village and was a longtime sponsor of the Village’s summer concert series and supporter of many community events.”
Former Plaza Mayor Jean Celender recalled the many honors and proclamations that the Village of Great Neck Plaza presented to Hirashima and his restaurant.
Celender said she worked with Hirashimai (known only by his first name) “for decades during his rise in Great Neck” since he opened Daruma restaurant in 1989.
Celender said Hirashima was “kind and generous” and with a “strong work ethic, allowing him to expand his business to also open venues of his favorite sports team, the New York Mets.”
Yoshi and Heidi received a Proclamation in Celebration of Daruma of Tokyo’s 30th Anniversary in the Village of Great Neck Plaza.
He had a strong desire to participate in the Plaza’s annual food drive and joined the drive in a unique way by donating postal stamps.
“Everybody has to pay rent,” said Yoshi, who made up 36 envelopes, each containing a Japanese good luck charm and 12 25-cent stamps. This was a real gift to Great Neck residents.
Presenting his gift to Great Neck Plaza, Yoshi proudly stated: “Now I am part of the food drive.”
