Introducing FUSIAN, brilliantly fresh and cleverly affordable, this self-described “easy.casual.sushi” eatery is set to open in a mere two weeks on the University of Dayton campus. The new opening at University Place 1200 Brown Street adjacent to Pot Belly Sandwich Works and across from Panera Bread is the second home of FUSIAN, whose original store has been satisfying sushi-loving Cincinnatians since its opening in 2010.

Colorful, comfortable and exceptionally environmentally friendly, this interactive sushi eatery was created by three childhood friends and Oakwood Alumni with the inspiration to create “simple, fresh and affordable sushi dining.” Stephan Harman and brothers Josh Weprin and Zach Weprin founded FUSIAN to negate the myth that fast, casual food, while oftentimes delicious, must always be awful for your body. Instead, the trio wanted to create wholesome, healthy food made from fresh, local ingredients that could be as fantastic on your waistline as it was for your taste buds. Not to mention, FUSIAN’s menu items are all $10 or less, a blessing upon the wallet of a college kid as well as the everyday famished customer.

I spoke with co-founder and University of Dayton Alum (’08) Stephan Harman who explained FUSIAN as “Feel good food,” adding that FUSIAN is an experience where customers “Eat with their eyes”. FUSIAN’s diverse menu, which offers organic, locally grown, and vegan/vegetarian-friendly ingredients as well as seasonal items such as strawberries, peaches and mangos certainly caught my eye as well as my appetite. FUSIAN creates an enjoyable, fun experience for each customer, setting the fresh ingredients right in front of the ordering individual, Subway/Chipotle-style. Their customizable, “build-to-order” sushi rolls and all-natural bubble smoothies have also won several prestigious awards including a “Best of Cincinnati” mention last year as well as this year’s recognition by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce as one of “Cincinnati’s Top 10 Companies under 10 Employees.”

“We are not your typical sushi restaurant,” said Co-founder Zach Weprin. “We serve many modern alternatives in addition to traditional raw options such as soy wraps filled with braised steak and baked chicken along with fresh vegetables.” With a menu as lively and delicious as FUSIAN, it’s not difficult to believe that the founders like Stephan Harman have never tried the same roll twice.

In regards to their brand new location on UD’s campus, Harman explained, “We love Dayton. We’ve received a tremendous amount of support from our friends and family in Dayton and feel that UD is an ideal place for us to share our brand, our food, and our lifestyle with the community.” The trio-team has made sushi not only affordable but also highly convenient in a strip with a constant bustle of people previously devoid of sushi. FUSIAN’s fresh presence upon Brown Street’s dining avenue has already created an eager buzz among curious college students and Dayton inhabitants alike.

“We’re very excited to bring FUSIAN to Dayton and to be a part of our hometown community, said Co-founder Josh Weprin. “We think businesses can and should have a positive impact in the communities they serve.” The establishment of a friendly, social dining experience with plenty of nearby seating, a happily helpful staff, and handpicked music playing all the while, Dayton is sure to be captivated by FUSIAN’s atmosphere as well as its food. When asked what to order two weeks from now when FUSIAN graces Brown Street with its fresh and inventive presence, Stephan Harman encouraged, “Go crazy, get creative. If you like avocados, throw on some avocados. If you like crab, pick your crab. Look right in front of you and eat with your eyes, you can’t go wrong.”

As part of their pre-opening hype FUSIAN is running a facebook promo offering sushi for life. The winner will receive one “roll” a week for the rest of the winner’s life.