GET TO KNOW NOVU SUSHI
Get to Know Novu Sushi: the Owner – Ken Jack
We asked Ken about Novu, the way he conducts business, and some fun personal questions! Enjoy!
Q: Where did the name NOVU originate?
A: “You are going to have to ask my wife! It’s based on Jewish descent, because that is our religion. NOVU means to know what is coming in the future, to see the future, and to know that amazing things are coming.”
Q: What sets you apart from other sushi restaurants?
A: “Before we opened, we did a lot of studying for almost 8 months. I have connections in California who introduced me to a supplier in Hawaii. We receive over-night deliveries of fresh fish daily. The fresh fish is vacuum-sealed, put in boxes of ice and never frozen. We receive the fish about 25 hours after it is caught, so the freshness really sets us apart from everyone else. We are unique in that 85% of our menu is fresh fish.”
Q: What is your favorite meal or roll at NOVU?
A: “I would have to be honest and say that I like the Japanese noodles with steak because it’s just amazing. If you want to know my favorite roll, it would have to be Mt. Fuji.”
Q: Why did you choose Junction City as a location for your business?
A: “My friendship with Alexis Khazzam. He wants success for all business owners at Junction. He provided advice and support during the leasing phase, so I wasn’t stressed financially, and it was easy to handle. I don’t have to worry about doing anything wrong, especially with the friendship we have. He is a great landlord.”
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
A: “I think the most satisfying moment is that my wife and I opened up NOVU together, I kid you not. We put a lot of time into it, there was a lot of arguments back and forth about this and that. It came to the point where I realized my wife has a business degree from U of I, she knows a lot about business. She designed the whole place, I have nothing to do with the design. Literally, not even the paint on the wall. She designed this whole place top to bottom. So, I think us working together was my biggest achievement; our biggest achievement.”
Q: What makes you happy?
A: “When I go home at 9pm at night, park in my driveway and see my daughter running to the front door because she hears my car. I walk up my drive way and see her running to the glass windows around my front door, and I see my son chasing her down. I never in my life thought that I would be like one of those family guys who goes home and sees my family running to me. I could literally have the worst day of my life, but when I see my kids running to me, I’m melted liked ice cream on a 140 degree day. My kids are my everything, I could care less about anything. I love my kids.”
Get to know Novu Sushi – Check out Novu Sushi’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EatNovuSushi/