Town OKs plans for Yagi sake complex

By Manor Ink Staff

Livingston Manor, NY – The Town of Rockland Planning Board on Oct. 1 voiced its approval for the Livingston Manor Japanese restaurant and cultural center project to move forward to the next phase of planning and permitting. The decision followed a presentation from the project’s engineers, architects, and attorneys, according to a project spokesman.

Planned for the former Keiser Restaurant Equipment Company manufacturing site at 10 Pleasant Street, the mixed-use project proposed by restaurateur Bon Yagi envisions a restaurant featuring Japanese cuisine, a small-batch sake brewery, an educational and cultural learning center, and a Japanese garden.

The board’s latest approval covers the overall site plan and infrastructure layout. The next phase will focus on design and permits for each of the 11 individual buildings, totaling roughly 42,000 square feet, according to project spokesperson Michael Tucker.

Tucker met later in the month with a landscape architect and several community members who may play roles in the project. Among them was local landlord John Davidovich, who discussed collaborating on an electric vehicle charging station for the site. Davidovich said his company holds a state EV charging license.

“The approval to move forward with the next step marks an important milestone,” Tucker said, speaking of the planning and permitting stage. “This round focused on the overall site plan and structure. Now we begin working on each building individually.”

Developers estimate the project will employ 50 to 60 people throughout the year, depending on seasonal needs. Tucker added that partnerships with SUNY Sullivan and local schools will be pursued to provide job and educational opportunities once construction progresses.