By Bruce Kettelle
There is a solution to Ohio’s budget crisis without invoking slot machines or draconian cuts to necessary services such as libraries. The solution even provides an upside response to the state’s recent revelation that it is in the top ten for obesity.
The answer is a revision to the sales tax code that would bring the state in step with all of its neighbors and most of the country. The revenues from taxing food to go could even be great enough to allow for a slight reduction in the other revenue generators such as the state’s income tax.
The National Restaurant Association estimates Ohio restaurants will gross $16 billion this year. If half of that is food to go it would translate into $440 million in sales taxes. Not included in that estimate is prepared food sold at non-traditional restaurants such as convenience stores.
No politician likes to be the one to suggest raising a specific tax but these are trying times for physical and fiscal health in the state. Making fast food a little more expensive can help raise the awareness of one of the problems leading to obesity and its resulting increase on healthcare costs.
No stone should be left unturned in Columbus this week as the debate over the state’s budget reaches a crescendo. The echoing refrain in the State Capital halls for a sales tax on prepared food to go should be given much deserved public discussion and consideration.
Showing posts with label restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurants. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
New Restaurants With Local Roots
By Bruce Kettelle
Two Trotwood restaurant entrepreneurs are branching out.
Residents Pam and Joe Heintz operate Artisan’s Café in nearby Clayton in the Randolf Plaza. Last week Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church welcomed them to their new second location across from the Dayton Mall.
This week Ramen Ispakhev opened the doors to the second New York Pizzeria in the St. Anne’s district of Dayton. He will offer the same menu available at the successful Trotwood location on East Main St near Olde Town.
The Heintz family operated their original restaurant on Union Rd across from the Englewood Kroger until a pharmacy chain bought out the property. They relocated to Randolf Plaza at 8351 N. Main St last fall. Their successful healthy menu is now being offered at their second location in the International Plaza, 47 S Springboro Pike.
The owner of the International Village, at the corner of State Routes 725 and 741 wanted an Artisans Café in his center. Pam said, “he approached us with a novel idea to team up with an existing restaurant and provide their healthy food concept to the southern Miami Valley.”
After meeting with Akram Fadel, the owner of the Taste of the Mediterranean restaurant, everyone agreed it would be a great fit. The Taste of the Mediterranean already offers many vegetarian dishes as well as all natural Halal meats. They even have a patio hookah bar.
Pam said the new location is already becoming a hit. “The addition of our American style healthy food makes the new Artisans Café a dining “Mecca” for meat eaters as well as vegetarians and vegans.” See their menu at www.artisanscafe.net or call Clayton 890-5250 and Miamisburg 434-9140.
New York Pizzeria arrived on the Trotwood scene a few years ago when a few other restaurants had failed in the plaza shared by the YMCA, License Bureau, a church, Higgins Station and other shops. They have thrived, building a strong local reputation with great pizza and subs at 498 E Main.
Most patrons will recognize Kemal Tirak behind the Trotwood counter spinning pizza’s. But you may not realize his brother Raman Ispakhev has been working on rehabbing a building in Dayton at 1430 E 5th St.
The efforts of the family partnership paid off this week as the new location opened to rave reviews.
The only difference in menus at the new location is Raman’s passion as a baker. In addition to the famous pizza, calzone and sub items he will offer fresh baked Turkish bread for $2 a loaf.
Eat in or call for delivery in Dayton 222-0321 and Trotwood 837-3333.
Two Trotwood restaurant entrepreneurs are branching out.
Residents Pam and Joe Heintz operate Artisan’s Café in nearby Clayton in the Randolf Plaza. Last week Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church welcomed them to their new second location across from the Dayton Mall.
This week Ramen Ispakhev opened the doors to the second New York Pizzeria in the St. Anne’s district of Dayton. He will offer the same menu available at the successful Trotwood location on East Main St near Olde Town.
The Heintz family operated their original restaurant on Union Rd across from the Englewood Kroger until a pharmacy chain bought out the property. They relocated to Randolf Plaza at 8351 N. Main St last fall. Their successful healthy menu is now being offered at their second location in the International Plaza, 47 S Springboro Pike.
The owner of the International Village, at the corner of State Routes 725 and 741 wanted an Artisans Café in his center. Pam said, “he approached us with a novel idea to team up with an existing restaurant and provide their healthy food concept to the southern Miami Valley.”
After meeting with Akram Fadel, the owner of the Taste of the Mediterranean restaurant, everyone agreed it would be a great fit. The Taste of the Mediterranean already offers many vegetarian dishes as well as all natural Halal meats. They even have a patio hookah bar.
Pam said the new location is already becoming a hit. “The addition of our American style healthy food makes the new Artisans Café a dining “Mecca” for meat eaters as well as vegetarians and vegans.” See their menu at www.artisanscafe.net or call Clayton 890-5250 and Miamisburg 434-9140.
New York Pizzeria arrived on the Trotwood scene a few years ago when a few other restaurants had failed in the plaza shared by the YMCA, License Bureau, a church, Higgins Station and other shops. They have thrived, building a strong local reputation with great pizza and subs at 498 E Main.
Most patrons will recognize Kemal Tirak behind the Trotwood counter spinning pizza’s. But you may not realize his brother Raman Ispakhev has been working on rehabbing a building in Dayton at 1430 E 5th St.
The efforts of the family partnership paid off this week as the new location opened to rave reviews.
The only difference in menus at the new location is Raman’s passion as a baker. In addition to the famous pizza, calzone and sub items he will offer fresh baked Turkish bread for $2 a loaf.
Eat in or call for delivery in Dayton 222-0321 and Trotwood 837-3333.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Broadway Café Gets a Makeover
By Bruce Kettelle
Broadway Café was looking a little tired, relatively unchanged since it was Copperfields in the 90’s and Deb and Rick’s before that. After buying the Olde Town restaurant in 2005 owners Alex and Donna Kup have been saving up for a makeover.
This spring the gradual effort has paid off with oohs and aahs from customers.
Even with the slow economy Donna said it “it needed it” and the couple plunged into the work. A little here, a little there done after hours at night and the new look took shape.
“First thing we did was get rid of the partition wall in the center of the dining room,” said Donna, “It opened everything up, made it a brighter restaurant.” A few weeks later new carpet appeared and then the walls were painted.
“We hired our customers to do the work,” stressed Donna about the importance of supporting the local community.
The finishing touches came from Jim Foster. He operates his national branding and design firm from Olde Town.
Jim tackled the bathrooms and selected a theme for the art displayed in the dining room.
Covering the walls is a photo history of Trotwood. Many photos are on loan from the Trotwood Historical Society. “The customers really like the pictures on the walls, they start a lot of conversations and we’re learning more about Trotwood history all the time,” says Donna.
Donna says so far the improvements haven’t resulted in many more customers but now it feels more like a home.
“I think of our customers as family.”
Broadway café is open from 6:30am to 10:00pm every day. There’s a steady crowd for breakfast specials and their popular wings and pizza. They even deliver.
Donna has a few more plans for the restaurant but wouldn’t let the cat out of the bag just yet. “If the good Lords willin and the creek don’t rise we’ll be in Trotwood for a long time.”
Broadway Café is located at 203 N. Broadway. Give them a call at 837-6555.
See pictures at http://www.totallytrotwood.com/home_6-8-09.htm
Broadway Café was looking a little tired, relatively unchanged since it was Copperfields in the 90’s and Deb and Rick’s before that. After buying the Olde Town restaurant in 2005 owners Alex and Donna Kup have been saving up for a makeover.
This spring the gradual effort has paid off with oohs and aahs from customers.
Even with the slow economy Donna said it “it needed it” and the couple plunged into the work. A little here, a little there done after hours at night and the new look took shape.
“First thing we did was get rid of the partition wall in the center of the dining room,” said Donna, “It opened everything up, made it a brighter restaurant.” A few weeks later new carpet appeared and then the walls were painted.
“We hired our customers to do the work,” stressed Donna about the importance of supporting the local community.
The finishing touches came from Jim Foster. He operates his national branding and design firm from Olde Town.
Jim tackled the bathrooms and selected a theme for the art displayed in the dining room.
Covering the walls is a photo history of Trotwood. Many photos are on loan from the Trotwood Historical Society. “The customers really like the pictures on the walls, they start a lot of conversations and we’re learning more about Trotwood history all the time,” says Donna.
Donna says so far the improvements haven’t resulted in many more customers but now it feels more like a home.
“I think of our customers as family.”
Broadway café is open from 6:30am to 10:00pm every day. There’s a steady crowd for breakfast specials and their popular wings and pizza. They even deliver.
Donna has a few more plans for the restaurant but wouldn’t let the cat out of the bag just yet. “If the good Lords willin and the creek don’t rise we’ll be in Trotwood for a long time.”
Broadway Café is located at 203 N. Broadway. Give them a call at 837-6555.
See pictures at http://www.totallytrotwood.com/home_6-8-09.htm
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