THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120335
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 133 lines
FOURTEEN NEW restaurants have opened here in the last two years, setting the table of diverse dining choices.
These days, diners have an array of options. But for years, eating out in Suffolk involved only a few choices.
The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission reported that restaurant sales in Suffolk grew just 5.5 percent between 1990 and 1994, while the state average was 5.9 percent.
But in 1995, the city bucked the statewide 1 percent decline in sales and nearly doubled the growth it had achieved over the previous four years. That year, restaurant sales in Suffolk totaled $25.6 million, up a whopping 9.9 percent from the $23 million the city's eateries pulled in during 1994, according to the commission's study.
``Suffolk was underserved in the restaurant category in the early 1990s . . economics, John N. Whaley, said. ``I think the city has probably achieved the critical business and residential growth mass that encourages people to go into business. This will be a further impetus to open restaurants of all sorts in Suffolk.
He said, ``Clearly, an acceleration has begun . . . that is resulting in the city's increasing its marketshare of Hampton Roads' economic marketplace.''
The recent crop of new restaurants is only the prelude to the explosion of commercial and retail growth in downtown Suffolk, Economic Development Director Tom Waller said.
Plans are in the works for a Rally's Hamburgers on North Main Street by summer. And Waller is talking to representatives from several companies interested in developing on the property behind Appleee's and Ryan's Steakhouse. Potential buyers have expressed an interest in building a movie theater or a strip shopping center, he said.
Most of Suffolk's immediate economic growth will stem from population-serving businesses: stores, drycleaners, restaurants and the like, Whaley said. Having an abundance of these businesses will act as a calling card to entice larger companies into the city.
``These new restaurants, as well as other businesses and building projects like the new court complex, create a favorable impression of Suffolk,'' Waller said. ``Companies thinking about moving to an area look for a city with a strong existing commercial retail base and expectations that more growth will occur.''
That's exactly what drew Applebee's Neighborhoold Grill & Bar to Suffolk last year.
``The reason we are here is Wal-Mart,'' said Lenny Buccellato, the restaurant's general manager. ``We often locate near Wal-Marts because they draw in so many people.''
And these people aren't just coming from Suffolk, several restaurant owners agreed.
Matt and Michele Musolino, owner of Main Streets Restaurant & Raw Bar, say they have regular customers who come in from Virginia Beach, Richmond and North Carolina. The restaurant has been open less than a year and is already experiencing growing pains.
``We had a very successful winter, . . . much better than we ever anticipated and we really need something with more room,'' Matt Musolino said. ``All the restaurants in town seem to be faring pretty well.'' MEMO: NEW RESTAURANTS
Main Street's Restaurant & Raw Bar
1467 N. Main St., Suffolk
Date opened: August 1995
The Gavel
1216 W. Washington St., Suffolk
Date opened: November 1995
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
1206 N. Main Street, Suffolk
Opening date: September 1995
Long John Silvers
1528 N. Main St., Suffolk
Opening date: January 1996
Ryan's Family Steak House
1202 N. Main St., Suffolk
Date opened: December 1993
Hardees
2301 Pruden Blvd., Suffolk
Date opened: April 1994
El Tolteca
N. Main St., Suffolk
Opening date: NA
Partners Restaurant and Lounge
729 N. Main St., Suffolk
Opening date: September 1995
Arby's
1516 Holland Road, Suffolk
Opening date: May 1995
Chanello's
920 N. Main St., Suffolk
Opening date: Dec. 1, 1995
Zero's
1523 N. Main St., Suffolk
Opening date: August 1995
Pizza Hut
(moved to new building)
110 N. Main St., Suffolk
Opening date: December 1994
Law Dogs
808 W. Constance Rd.
Opening date: November 1994
Shuckers
425 E. Pinner St., Suffolk
Opening date: March 1993
RESTAURANT SALES
1990
Suffolk: $18.8 million; $360 per person
State: $4.5 billion; $736 per person
1994
Suffolk: $23.3 million; $427 per person
State: $5.75 billion; $919 per person
1995
Suffolk: $25.6 million; per person not available
State: $6 billion; per person not available
Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Ryan's Family Steak House, 1202 N. Main St., was one of the early
arrivals, opening in December 1993.
Wal-Mart draws customers Applebee's wants to serve, so it's near the
discounter, said the eatery's general manager.
Long John Silvers at 1528 N. Main St. is a recent arrival, opening
in January.
by CNB