A FAMILY company’s connection with a high-end Japanese restaurant convinced them to open their first eatery outside of Melbourne with plans for Australia’s longest sushi bar.

Komeyui Japanese Restaurant has a seven-year lease on the CR Kennedy & Co owned former Australian Federal Police building at 203-207 Wharf St, Spring Hill, which it bought last year for $19.5m.

CR Kennedy & Company is a leading importer and distributor of photographic, hunting, geospatial, medical and surveillance equipment and director Clem Kennedy said the 85-year-old business also has a property portfolio “all over”.

“Komeyui is regarded as one of the best Japanese restaurants and are in a building we owned in South Melbourne,” he said.