Bob Evans back in business
By PAUL GIANNAMORE, Business editorArticle Photos
STEUBENVILLE - With an air one expects from people waiting for tickets to an NFL playoff or a rock concert, the crowd began lining up on Saturday for this morning's opening of the new Bob Evans Restaurant at Sunset Boulevard and Brady Circle West.
Bob Evans has been at the location since 1982, but the restaurant closed in April for construction of a new, more modern Bob Evans. The re-opening originally was planned for Labor Day, but quick work by construction crews brought the completion date forward by two weeks.
"Our construction crews did an outstanding job," said Steve Govey, area director, early today as the line of customers stretched to the door of the full restaurant. Workers said the line had extended around the building when they opened following the 5:45 a.m. grand opening ribbon cutting today.
The restaurant represents about a $1.3 million investment by Bob Evans, according to Joe LeGros, vice president and regional director of operations. He said companywide, there are nine such openings scheduled this year.
The new Bob Evans has 104 employees, and about 90 percent of the crew that worked at the old building are back for the new Bob Evans, Govey said. Crew hiring and training took place earlier this month. The restaurant seats about 158 people.
"We had about 150 people here between 4 and 4:30 a.m. today waiting for the opening," Govey said. "The first customer got in line about 7 p.m. Saturday evening. Last night at about 1 a.m. there were about 90 waiting in line."
Govey said Bob Evans marketing department kept the crowd entertained with games and a photo booth from Louisville Photographic Booth Co., giving visitors a chance to have old-fashioned photos taken with family and friends. Bratwurst was served to the crowd waiting throughout the night, Govey said.
A flag-raising ceremony with members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 80 was conducted, along with a visit by Bob Evans Restaurants President Roger Williams.
LeGros said the crowd is not unusual for the opening of a new Bob Evans.
"But it was a little bigger in Steubenville," he said. "We've been here since 1982, and our friends in Steubenville have treated us very well over the years. Obviously, they're willing to celebrate with us today."
Bob Evans is donating 50 cents per opening-day customer today to the Steubenville Salvation Army and is offering "Rise & Shine" T-shirts to customers who donate $5 or more to the Steubenville Salvation Army.
The restaurant is managed by Mark Jaworski.
More than $12,000 in prizes is being offered throughout the day during the grand opening celebration.
(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)
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carolinabill
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08-18-08 12:20 PM
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Used to eat at Bob Evans when I went shopping in Steubenville,good food good prices.Looking forward to dining there when I visit the valley.
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