After 41 years in business, Shiroi Hana, regarded as Center City’s longest-running Japanese restaurant, served its final meal in January. Owners Robert and Patti Moon have since cleared out the dining room and put the building up for sale as they prepare to step back. Although the restaurant has closed, the Moons say they will keep operating their Logan Square spot, Doma.
A Rittenhouse Mainstay Since 1984
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Shiroi Hana opened in 1984 at 222 S. 15th St. and came under the ownership of Robert and Patti Moon in 1998. The restaurant served its final meal in January, and staff held a tag sale as they emptied out plates, bowls, and even the sushi bar. Longtime critic Craig LaBan described the spot as a “favored hideaway,” and Patti Moon told the paper, “It’s sad. Very sad.”
Owners Put The Building On The Market
PHILADELPHIA.Today reports that the Moons have listed the building for sale as they prepare to retire. Commercial property listings for 222 S. 15th St. show the space on the market with an asking price of about $2.03 million, while local coverage tied to the Philadelphia Business Journal has cited a figure closer to $1.85 million. PropertyShark includes listing details such as seating capacity and notes that the property comes with a full liquor license.
Why The Door Closed
Owners and staff told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the loss of their longtime head chef, Hiroshi Abe, who worked at the restaurant for nearly 35 years, played a major role in the decision to close. They also pointed to broader shifts in Japanese dining that favor chef-owner omakase experiences. Patti Moon said that after Abe left about three years ago, “business wasn’t the same,” and longtime manager Michiko Kadekaru has indicated she will retire. For regulars, the shutdown marks the end of a quiet, reliable lunch stop and an old-school sushi bar in Rittenhouse.
What Comes Next
The Moons say they will continue to run Doma, their Japanese Korean restaurant in Logan Square, while they seek a buyer for the Rittenhouse property. PHILADELPHIA.Today notes that the move appears to be an owner-led retirement rather than a sudden business collapse. Whoever takes over the address will inherit a two-floor restaurant footprint on the Avenue of the Arts and an opportunity to reimagine a block that regulars have known for decades.
