Pita Pit views for Uptown taste buds

by Kayt Pattee
THE POST

Though 90210 fans may continue to mourn the loss of the Peach Pit, a new Pit is coming to Athens to help fill the void.

The Pita Pit, 8 N. Court St., will open one week from today. Owners Jason Vangeel and Kevin Perssburger scoped out Athens for a potential business residence after opening a Pita Pit in Columbus.

"We were so sold on the place, we signed the lease the next time we came down (to Athens)," Vangeel said.

With this location being one of only 10 Pita Pits in the United States, Vangeel believes his restaurant is different from any other on Court Street.

"We'll be open until three in the morning every night and four in the morning Thursday, Friday and Saturday," he said. "There's not a lot of late night, after the bars, healthy alternatives."

And it is their healthy alternative and variety that Vangeel says is unique. The store will offer 15 different meat toppings and six to seven vegetarian toppings.

"It's similar to a tiny sub shop, in that you customize exactly what you like," he stated.

Vangeel said the prices are in the same proximity of many other Court Street restaurants.

"Nothing is more than $5," he explained. "Everything is between $3 and $5."

Although Pita Pit is similar to other restaurants, Bagel Street Deli owner Scott Bishop said he is not concerned about competition.

"We want as many shops to be filled on Court Street as possible to increase foot traffic," Bishop said. "The more successful businesses we have, the more we'll be successful."

Bishop said his restaurant is unique because they steam the bagels.

"Not to toot my own horn, but we see the same people every day and start making the sandwich when they walk in the door."

Vangeel said he hopes to achieve a loyal customer base as well.

"I can't say 100 percent of the people, but I would say there is a large portion of people who are always repeat customers. Our motto is 'all we have to do is have somebody try a pita once, and we'll be alright.'"

World's Best Bagel owner Bobby Six voiced mixed feelings about the new neighbor.

"I'm always concerned when new businesses come to town, but competition is good," she said. "We do have a loyal customer base, but everyone will try something new. I probably will too."

While some restaurant owners still might be uncertain about the arrival, others will be excited for roughly 25 new job openings.

"Seeing as we cater to students," said Vangeel, "we pretty much just hire students as well."

Two hours after Vangeel posted the 'Now Hiring' sign in the window, he was hit with more than 200 applications from job seeking students.

And Vangeel said he seeks to please everyone from high school students to working class to partiers.

"Nobody would come in here and say this is not the kind of place I want to eat at," he said. "It's a one size fits all sort-of restaurant."