New eatery catches eye of local
businesses
Yorktown merchants hoping to stem
tide of popular competitor
| |
| Dante and
Judy Renzi say Dante’s III attracts a different crowd
than Panera. |
Story and photos by Danny Lopriore
The aroma of baked goods wafting from Panera Bread in the Triangle
Shopping Center may be inviting to hungry mall shoppers, but could
threaten smaller businesses trying to survive in the culinary shadow
of the national chain.
Panera, which opened for business in May in the Triangle, just 100
yards from Yorktown Heights' main intersection at Route 202 and Saw
Mill River Road, has enjoyed some early success with its bakery and
deli business.
But according to several local business owners, the big chain eatery's
success for Panera may spell trouble for them.
"We noticed a drop in business when Panera opened," said
J.J. Lee, owner/operator of Bagels & More, which is located 50
yards from Panera, along the Triangle Mall strip. "It's not unusual
for people to go to a new place when it opens, so that's what we hope
is happening."
Lee, whose store specializes in bagels, deli foods and salads and
has occupied space in the shopping center for a year, understands
the reality of business.
"I've been in this business for 10 years and competition is always
a challenge," Lee said. "If you have a good product, customers
usually stick with you."
Lee said he was surprised when Panera came to the center shortly after
he opened his space.
"I didn't know ahead of time that they were opening," Lee
said. "Competition is something we have to deal with and we want
our customers to know we're here to serve them the best way we can."
Panera has 850 franchises in 36 states. It's only other Westchester
store is in Port Chester.
Dante and Judy Renzi, owners of Dante's III, a deli located at 1804
Front Street about a half mile from Panera, have seen businesses come
and go in their 40 years in the food business. The couple inherited
a family business in Yonkers, ran it successfully for more than 25
years and then moved to the Yorktown area where they have been in
business for nearly a decade, seven years at their current location.
"We know Panera is there, but it hasn't affected us a bit,"
Dante Renzi said. "In fact, we are busier than ever. I think
we cater to a blue-collar crowd that likes to drive right up to the
deli and get the food they like and then get back to work. I do think
that Panera will hurt some small business, though."
Mark Shumiatski, who opened Goldberg's Bagels near the K-Mart on Downing
Drive in December 2004, said he did have some concerns about Panera
coming to town.
"I thought it might hurt my business but I haven't had any change
so far," said Shumiatski, whose shop features 21 kinds of bagels,
13 types of muffins and an assortment of pastry goods. "Our customers
are coming in the same way. I'm happy about that."
Shumiatski said Panera offers a larger business atmosphere, while
Goldberg's is more intimate.
"Everything is done here like at home," the bagel store
owner said. "I think people like to come to a small place and
feel at home."
Renzi said in most cases a thriving business can survive the larger
chain store if their product is good.
"People want what's good," Renzi said. "I think Panera
might be a place where the mall shoppers drop in and it provides a
service. When Turco's came into the area I know it hurt some local
delis that could not compete. But we're fine. We're still selling
loads of Wackys (a Dante trademark sandwich) and Panera doesn't have
that."
Mimi Wassef, who premiered her Mimi's Gourmet Café at 1871
Commerce Street in December 2005, felt Panera's pulse through her
regular customers.
"There was an obvious change in our business when Panera first
opened," said Wassef, who lives in the community. "Several
of our customers came in and told us they had gone in to try Panera.
We don't expect people to eat every meal here, but our clientele enjoys
the homemade foods, intimate space and variety of things we offer."
Wassef, who features a coffee bar, gelatos, a salad bar and some baked
goods, along with her lunch and breakfast menus, recently introduced
crepe bar where customers can create their own crepes.
Wassef said she prides herself in offering a variety of homemade foods
using top-quality products.
"We have a very successful crepe business in Manhattan and I
wanted to add that feature to our place here," Wassef said. "We
don't feel we have to compete with Panera because we offer something
very different. That's what I like about the small businesses here.
Each has found a niche. That's what it takes to be successful."
Walter Eng, manager of Mrs. Green's Natural Market located in the
Triangle, said he's seen a slight bump in business as shoppers carrying
Panera shopping bags venture into his store.
Mrs. Green's sells health foods, produce and other natural foods.
"We aren't in direct competition with Panera, although we do
sell some breads," Eng said. "Anytime you have a business
come into a mall like this it can be positive because it brings foot
traffic. We've seen some new faces in here recently. I'm sure the
bagel shop and possibly other local delis are feeling the effect though.
Sometimes competition forces businesses to improve and that can be
good."
John Asma, owner of Yorktown Deli located just above Panera at 2045
Saw Mill River Road, took a few moments away from his busy counter
to comment on his newest rival.
Yorktown Deli caters, delivers and enjoys a steady stream of hungry
customers from the busy traffic flow on Saw Mill River Road.
"We've been here five years and we have a good returning crowd
of customers," Asma said. "We have noticed that business
was a little slower and I'm sure people are trying Panera to see what
it's like. I think there have been a few delis that have come and
gone because there's only room for so many in a small town. So far
we're all right. Our customers are very loyal."
Like Panera, Dante's III offers seating, as do Bagel's & More
and others. The smaller stores also offer home cooking, specialty
items and changing menu offerings. Panera counters with a large space,
an upscale ambiance, piped-in music and even a fireplace.
Yorktown Pastry Shop, which is Panera's nearest bakery rival just
a quick walk down the mall strip, specializes in cakes for all occasions,
cookies and breads.
The store boasts "three generations of baking" on its literature
and has been a mainstay in the community for nearly three decades.
Owner Steve Sawotka, who worked alongside his father in the bakery
for 25 years, said his business has not suffered at all since Panera
moved in.
"My grandfather used to say they had five bakeries on the block
in his neighborhood and they all did good business," Sawotka
said. "We don't depend on bread sales and don't have a sit-down
business. We do most of our work with cakes, cookies and desserts.
I don't see Panera as competition at all."
Although he would not speak to the specific issue of large retail
businesses affecting smaller stores, Yorktown Heights Chamber of Commerce
President Jared Feinberg said the community has become more and more
attractive to new businesses.
"The area continues to grow and has great consumer base, so it's
no surprise that businesses like Panera are coming here," Feinberg
said. "It's an up-and-coming community."
Dante Renzi, the veteran deli master, put it simply.
"If you're good, you're good," he said. "It's more
important to me to serve the best food I can. I can't worry about
what the other guy does. You'll know when it's time to go when people
stop showing up for lunch."
