Restaurateur Ty Fujimura '97 Among "50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans"

March 3, 2011

Ty Fujimura, owner of Arami and 1997 graduate of DePauw University, is listed among the "50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans" in Chicago magazine.

Fujimura "moved to Ukrainian Village in 1997, the day after he graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana," notes the publication's profile. "An aspiring DJ and event promoter, he did boring office work by day and studied the bar-and-club scene by night. Lightning struck when he and his older brother, Troy, drove past a corner tavern in Logan Square with a 'For Sale' sign in the window. They leaped at the opportunity -- and the original Small Bar was born."

The piece points out that Fujimura and his business partners now operate three Smart Bars, a cocktail bar called The Exchange, and Arami, described as "an intimate sushi spot on Chicago Avenue (that) is garnering raves."