New restaurants near university to open soon


For the last couple of years, students have passed by King Street and University Avenue wondering exactly when and what is opening beside the Starbucks plaza. Finally, the building is up and businesses are starting to open.
Last Friday, Ginoās Pizza had its grand opening, the first of the three businesses to open at the 253 King St. N. location. Yeās Sushi and Shoeless Joeās will also be operating out of that location.
āThere used to be a Ginoās here ten years ago and they have always wanted one in Waterloo,ā explained Rajid, a current employee of Ginoās Pizza.
He claimed that Ginoās will be able to differentiate itself from the many pizza joints in the area because āit has an authentic Italian taste to it and is different from other pizza places.ā
Ginoās is open until 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 3 a.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. over the weekend.
As for the Yeās Sushi and Shoeless Joeās openings, students will have to wait a little bit longer.Ā According Alison Krokoszynski, beverage and marketing manager of Shoeless Joeās, the restaurant is scheduled to open up April 4.
āWe really want to be involved and give back to the community, and create an environment of team spirit,ā said Krokoszynski. āWe are not sure if we are going to get involved with the student card, SPC card, or maybe even house our own student discounts. All of those ideas are still up in the air.ā
Krokoszynski commented that she loves how Shoeless Joeās is at the heart of the Kitchener-Waterloo area and that they are in such close proximity to both universities and also to so many different businesses, which will contribute to a lot of customer traffic.
āA home-team advantage program will be offered to all kinds of athletic teams, social groups, fraternities and sororities,ā explained Krokoszynski. āWe will keep track of all of the food purchases of that group and we will give back 15 per cent to them, so they can do events here or even get catering.ā
Shoeless Joeās will also incorporate a rooftop patio and bar into its restaurant.
Regarding Yeās Sushi, little information is yet to be released. However, Dan Dawson, assistant VP of student affairs, was able to shed some light.
āWe havenāt heard anything official, but I understand it is to open this summer some time, at the earliest spring,ā said Dawson. āWhenever there is new locations, it gives the students more choice and flexibility, but also causes the businesses to focus on creative marketing and good customer service.ā
According to Dawson, the new businesses will have to earn the success they deserve in order to keep up with constant evolution and change in the hospitality industry.