As a leader in retail fixture design and installation within the restaurant industry, Showbest was delighted to partner with New York-based design firm Avroko to work on Akikos, a new restaurant venture. Showbest’s introduction to the project came from General Contractor R3 Builders, allowing them to bid on the concept. The goal was to create a design that would offer guests a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing atmosphere where they could enjoy creative and delectable sushi.

This partnership between Showbest and Avroko began years ago when the two companies collaborated on China Live, a large multi-level Chinese restaurant in downtown San Francisco. The bidding process for Akikos, which began in 2021, was highly competitive and involved multiple stages of intent, pricing, and design.

Showbest’s team provided a 400+ page engineering set of drawings that underwent several rounds of reviews and edits until all parties were satisfied with the design, construction methods, and materials used. Despite the project timeline being longer than usual due to the level of detail and coordination required, Showbest’s dedication to quality and expertise in the field ensured a stunning restaurant with high-end materials.

Throughout the project, Showbest worked closely with Greenwood Advisory’s Josh Drew and Scott Boggs, Leslie Laskin Reese at YA Studio, and R3 Builders, facing challenges related to site management, cost management, and scheduling coordination. However, their follow-through and attention to detail ensured the project’s success.

Avroko chose high-end materials for the project, including 4,000 SF of 8″ wide rift white oak that clads nearly every wall and ceiling. This rare, expensive, and beautiful material is just one of the many examples of Showbest’s commitment to using only the finest materials in their projects.

Despite the challenges faced during the project, Showbest’s expertise and dedication to quality ensured a successful outcome. The engineering department’s assistance in helping the design team make key decisions kept the project’s progress running smoothly.