Athens restaurants located throughout the state

by Lauren McDowell
Staff Writer

Several Athens restaurants offer residents and students a chance to enjoy local food from a variety of locations throughout the state, including the new Zachary's Delicatessen in Columbus.

Customers of Bagel Street Deli, 27 S. Court St., can find a second store, Berkman's Bagel Deli, in Columbus, near Ohio State University's campus, Bagel Street Deli owner Scott Bishop said.

The original stores were part of a corporation whose owners tried to open six stores, all in college towns, Bishop said. Most of the stores were closed shortly after opening.

The two Ohio stores were sold and maintained by different management, but have been able to reap the benefits of multiple locations, he said.

"(Having two stores) affects how we can help each other out," Bishop said.

Both owners split products supplied in bulk, and the differing school schedules allow both managers to work at one location during peak business times, Bishop said.

Another familiar Athens gathering place can be found in Oxford, Ohio.

Owners of Skipper's Pub, 22 W. Union St., first opened a store in Oxford. Following its success, the owners expanded to Athens in 1994, said business manager Kristi Hewitt.

The two stores have different owners now, but people from Oxford still come into the Athens restaurant and recognize the name, Hewitt said.

"We have a much different menu," Hewitt said.

Franchises Athens residents can find elsewhere include BW-3 Grill and Bar, 21 W. Union St., Jimmy John's, 16 S. Court St., and The Pita Pit, 8 N. Court St.

The Pita Pit, already established in Columbus, was attracted to Athens because of the small-town and college influence, said co-manager Stephanie Watson.

"OSU is such a huge school, right, and (owners) thought (Athens) would be a good opportunity," Watson said. "They were immediately sold on the idea of having a business here."

The Pita Pit is located only in college towns and caters to the students, she said. Every building is decorated in the school's colors and mascots, including the Athens location, which is decorated in green and white.