Monday, September 22, 2025

Remembering Yuji Umeki, owner of Search & Destroy and Kenka on St. Mark's Place

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

We were sorry to learn of the passing of Yuji Umeki, who for years anchored 25 St. Mark's Place with Search & Destroy and Kenka. He died unexpectedly earlier this month. 

There is a notice about his death on the front door of Kenka, the popular Izakaya-style restaurant on the lower level here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...
Kenka, which has served unconventional fare such as bull penis for 20+ years, was closed this past week, with signs stating it will reopen today.
Upstairs at Search & Destroy, the punk-vintage emporium that opened in 1992...
... staff didn't offer any details about the owner's passing. When asked if the store would remain open, an employee said, "We have to keep going." 

Instagram tributes describe him as "vibrant" and "a true punk rocker." He will be missed.
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2 comments:

  1. thedoortorialistSeptember 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM

    So sad! Our neighborhood wouldn’t be cool as it is today without him. He was a very nice and polite neighbor. My condolences to his family and staff.

    ReplyDelete
  2. COZMOS AntonSeptember 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM

    It seems the generation that brought Japanese immigrants to the neighborhood is slowly fading away. First the retirement of Shigeto of Minca, and now this. I can only hope that the spirit will remain in the neighborhood will continue for years to come.

    ReplyDelete

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