Scoop: Lucky AF opening in Short Pump Baker's Crust space

Driving the news: EAT president and founder Chris Tsui recently inked a deal with Short Pump Town Center to open the new Lucky AF, he tells Axios.

• Baker's lease is up at the end of March and it will close after, Daniel Rutter, bar manager at the Short Pump store, tells Axios.

Zoom in: The OG Lucky AF opened in 2020 in Scott's Addition, serving up Bento boxes, apps, poke, and dozens of traditional and specialty rolls, like a Boujie AF roll with tempura lobster, filet mignon and four styles of caviar.

• As with the group's other restaurants (like Fat Dragon, PBR and Wong's Tacos), the cocktails are fun and funky, and the weekday happy hour deals stellar.
• Last year, the group announced plans to open second Richmond Lucky AF spot on Forest Hill Avenue. That one is on track to open in October or November, Tsui says.

Flashback: Baker's Crust's Short Pump opened in 2003 as one of the mall's original tenants, about a decade after Carytown Baker's opened, per BizSense.

• The Carytown Baker's closed last March.

What's next: Lucky AF in Short Pump should open in January, Tsui said.