TheBuzz
TheBuzz
ScooZee’s expresses
interest in downtownScooZee's is branching out into downtown where folks are willing to walk a certain distance for an upscale sandwich or salad, according to parent company President Richard Swartz.
The No. 2 location of ScooZee's Express is licensed to retired chiropractor Dr. Bob Gallagher and is on the Queen Street side of Pacific Guardian Center between Bishop and Alakea Streets. The first is at Ward Centre adjacent to the original ScooZee's.
"We did surveys," Swartz said. Of those who leave their offices for a take-out lunch "people rarely walk more than a block and a half, but will walk a little further," he said.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Bob Gallagher, former chiropractor, owns the new ScooZee's Express downtown.
Yesterday those ducking into the No. 2 location of ScooZee's Express would have found a Panino sandwich, a pastry and pasta salad as its business lunch special, said Gallagher.
Swartz and Gallagher are scouting more downtown locations for possible expansion.
Express No. 2 opened Thursday July 25 following no fanfare save that which was published in the Pacific Guardian Tower's tenant newsletter.
"The opening was better than expected, for lunch," Gallagher said, "What we have to do is let people know we have breakfast, because when people see 'ScooZee's' they think lunch and dinner."
Its hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Among its choices Gallagher's location offers yogurt and heat-and-go or take-and-heat breakfast sandwiches not available at the Ward location.
It also receives daily deliveries of delectables from ScooZee's bakery behind the Ward 16 Theatres.
"It carries a full line of our high-end croissants," said Swartz, "Chocolate-almond croissants ... "
Your columnist momentarily drifted off into another land and had to ask for a repeat of the other varieties. Swartz laughed and empathized, explaining that his office is above the bakery so the aroma regularly wafts into his train of thought as well. For the record the other croissant varieties include ham and cheese, spinach and feta cheese and the traditional plain.
"We're going after ... working people who don't have a lot of time and are on the go. The Monday through Friday crowd, people that want to get good quality food and go," Gallagher said.
With changes coming to the former Victoria Ward property meanwhile, Swartz is looking to relocate ScooZee's bakery, which supplies many hotels and restaurants with bread and baked goods. "It requires a big space and it's got to be close in (town) because of all the deliveries," Swartz said.
His newest delivery recipient, Gallagher, has also been a tennis buddy of Swartz for years.
"After I told him he was absolutely crazy to consider the food business he did it anyway," Swartz said.
"That's correct," Gallagher said, explaining he was ready for a change after 20 years in practice.
"It is very different ... and it's no more competitive than the chiropractic business."
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com
