As fast as you can babaganoush, you can be served at the Pita Pit. OK, maybe not that fast, but close.
The newest addition to the Marketplace Shopping Centre is this international chain which touts quality, healthy, fresh food -- fast.
With an informal atmosphere and a varied and tasty menu selection, Pita Pit owners -- former Sioux Cityans Tom and Annette Cruse of Mason City, Iowa and Mark and Michele Lennon of Sioux City -- have been buoyed by the response of customers since opening the doors Nov. 12. 2009.
"We knew we'd be busy," Michele said. "We never dreamed we'd be this busy."
The Cruses opened a Pita Pit, 2927 Hamilton Blvd., 14 months ago in Mason City, but Tom Cruse (yes, he gets lots of comments on the name) was no stranger to the restaurant industry. His parents, Les and Peggy Cruse, closed out a 25-year career in 1996 after owning and operating Cruse's Restaurants on Stone Ave. and Hamilton Blvd.
People are also reading…
"I did a lot of investigating before I decided on the Pita Pit," Tom said. "I liked the idea that it was easy to run, easy for the customer to make choices and easy for employees to prepare the orders."
Although he has a strong connection to Sioux City, Cruse has an even stronger connection with the Lennons. Annette Cruse and Michele Lennon are sisters.
"We saw the success Tom and Annette were having in Mason City," Mark Lennon said. "We thought a Pita Pit would be successful in Sioux City as well."
Despite Sioux City being the home to a number of fast food deli and sub shops, Tom Cruse said Pita Pit would bring something different to the plate of the consumer.
"The product is unique," he said. "Pita Pit fills a niche that Sioux City doesn't have."
The Cruses and Lennons scouted the many areas of Sioux City before settling on 2927 Hamilton Blvd., Tom Cruse said.
"It was the location," he insisted of the 2,000 square-foot space that can seat about 44 diners. "We knew traffic would be strong."
"It's also a good mix of business and residential clientele," Michele added.
According to Pita Pit's Web site, the original restaurant model was to locate on or near college campuses, offering a fast, affordable, and healthy pita sandwich selection to compete with other fast food choices. Franchising began in Canada in 1997, and within two years, it came to the U.S. Recent growth has taken the Pita Pit into international locations.
The Pita Pit menu is based on grilled meats, fresh vegetables, zesty sauces, and a pita shell rolled into a unique and convenient package. Customers select their own toppings and sauces. A breakfast menu is served all day and fresh fruit smoothies have been added as options to the pitas.
Popular in Sioux City are the veggie pitas, the babaganoush, which is an eggplant spread and the falafel, rolled chickpeas with spices, said Michele Lennon.
Familiar name, new look
A new tenant took over the former space of Suzan's Hallmark at 2931 Hamilton Blvd. in the Marketplace Shopping Centre by April 1, 2009 and that's no foolin' said the new owner.
Evie Kats, who owns four other Hallmark stores, was approached about taking over the Marketplace space when the previous tenant vacated.
"Our thought was for that area, we hated to see a Hallmark store close," Kats said. "People were already coming into our Gordon Drive store and asking questions. We did not want to see them not serviced."
Work began March 9 on Evie's Hallmark Gold Crown 4,000-square foot area which has a different inventory than most Hallmark stores, Kats said.
"We have a lot of Allied product, that includes home decor, wall hangings, pictures, a new line of party supplies, collectibles, artwork, lots of kitchen, lots of patio, candles and home fragrances, and jewelry," she said. "Of course, we continue to carry a full line of Hallmark products, cards, albums, stationery and gift wrap."
The location will be another Evie's Hallmark, just like the one in Gordon Plaza at 3235 Gordon Drive. Kats first opened a Hallmark store in Sheldon, Iowa, about 30 years ago. In 1984, another store was added in Centre Mall in Sioux Center, Iowa, followed by one in South Park Mall at Spencer, Iowa.
Emily Covey, Kats' daughter, has been managing the Gordon Plaza store and will also manages the Marketplace location.
