After about 20 years of collecting sports memorabilia, Randy Palermo has accrued thousands of dollars worth of autographed Hall of Famer gear, posters signed by champions and other items. 

On Wednesday, he and his long-time buddy, Joseph Torrence will open Hatorando Sushi and Sports Bar, Hartland Township’s only sushi restaurant

“It’s a first of its kind,” Palermo said.

Palermo and Torrence renovated an approximately 3,000 square feet commercial space that used to be two retail shops at the Hartland Plaza shopping center at 10582 Highland Road/M-59.

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The friends met sushi chef Zhi Li when they were riding their motorcycles and stopped at a restaurant in Novi Li used to work at. Li created Hatorando’s menu and will manage the kitchen. 

“It’s a traditional Japanese food and sushi restaurant. … Li trained for years in Japan. He’s an artist,” Palermo said. 

The restaurant’s name means “heartland” in Japanese.

The menu features many sushi options. They will serve teriyaki dinners, sides such as dumplings and tempura, and udon noodle soups. They will also offer a half-pound burger with sesame ginger sauce and wasabi coleslaw.

Palermo, retired co-owner of Farmington Hills-based LaSalle Construction Services, met Torrence, an engineer for Ford Motor Co., about 20 years ago. Their wives talked them into joining a bowling league to meet each other. 

“I don’t know why we came up with the hair-brained idea to start a restaurant but we did and the rest is history,” he said.

An avid collector 

A poster autographed by boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier hangs near the entrance. 

Most of the football helmets on display in the middle of the restaurant are signed by Hall of Fame players.

“I had all the helmets in my house. I have a sports bar in my house,” Palermo said. 

He purchased more memorabilia for the restaurant. He guesses the collection could be worth upwards of $100,000. 

He said most of the helmets are signed by NFL Hall of Fame players.

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A wall of professional Michigan sports team features jerseys autographed by players like Detroit Red Wings great Gordie Howe. He also has a Charles Woodson University of Michigan jersey. A centerpiece is a jersey from the famous “Miracle on Ice” ice hockey game held during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

An autographed Dan Marino Miami Dolphins jersey hangs on another wall next to one signed by the undefeated 1972 team, which won the Super Bowl that year. 

They will also add an outdoor patio. It will seat around 100 customers when restaurants are allowed to operate at full capacity. 

“We were hoping to open in March or April, but COVID slowed it down a lot,” Palermo said. “Construction slowed down. Equipment was delayed.”

“We’ll follow all the COVID procedures. … I think people will be comfortable coming here,” he said. 

The restaurant and sports bar will open for dinner and happy hour at 3 p.m. and stay open until 11 p.m. every day except Sundays when it will close at 9 p.m.

“Right now we’re just doing dinner. We can revise things as we get started,” Palermo said. 

“The main reason we did this was to have a good time.”

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Jennifer Timar at 517-548-7148 or at jtimar@livingstondaily.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @jennifer_timar.

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