LAKEWOOD - The Chautauqua Mall is a new destination for those looking for freshly made hamburgers, french fries or self-serve yogurt.
Earlier this month, a new combination business opened in the food court at the Chautauqua Mall. The new restaurant is a self-serve yogurt place - titled Sweet Freedom Yogurt Company - and a freshly made hamburgers and french fry stand appropriately named - Burgers & Spuds.
Jeff Bronner, with his wife, Mary, and his 8-year-old daughter, Saida, started creating the idea for the business about a year ago. Bronner first approached mall officials about having a yogurt kiosk in the mall, but then the idea turned into the new combo business for the food court.
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At left, Jeff Bronner, Burgers & Spuds and Sweet Freedom Yogurt Company owner, and his staff will be hosting a grand-opening celebration Saturday, May 5, with half-price hamburgers, yogurt and an iPad giveaway. The new businesses is located in the food court at the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''Mall officials have been great. We've partnered together to rebuild this area, to bring it out into the food court more,'' he said. ''I wanted to help revive the food court. I knew it needed something new.''
The first-time restaurant owner will be hosting a grand-opening celebration Saturday, May 5. During the event, customers will be able to purchase burgers and yogurt at half price and the first 50 customers, with a line starting to form at 8 a.m., will receive a free gift bag. One of the 50 gift bags will contain an iPad. There will also be a face painter on hand for children.
''We provide healthy, fat-free frozen yogurt, freshly made burgers and fries, but our mission is to give to people,'' Bronner said. ''We love serving people. Giving people what they want.''
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''I don't think many people around here have experienced self-serve yogurt. It is empowering making your own sundae.''
Jeff Bronner
Burgers & Spuds owner
Before opening the restaurant, Bronner was a motivational speaker who traveled the country leading inspirational seminars.
''I would lead seminars about personal growth and marriage,'' he said. ''I would help people renew their faith.''
However, Bronner, who originally is from California, but now lives in the Mayville area, made the decision to change his career because he didn't want to continually travel.
''With my family, and my daughter getting older, I wanted to build something locally. I was tired of traveling so much,'' he said.
Bronner said self-serve yogurt is all the rage in California. The Sweet Freedom Yogurt Company has fresh fruits and all the usual toppings, with each sundae costing 40 cents an ounce. The average cup costs between $2.50 to $3. Bronner said in his first nine days of being opened, the business sold about 2,000 cups of yogurt.
''The word-of-mouth is starting to pick up. I see more and more people walking through the doors making a bee-line straight to the yogurt,'' he said. ''I don't think many people around here have experienced self-serve yogurt. It is empowering making your own sundae.''
Burgers & Spuds has several different ordering options for customers. People can get burgers, chicken sandwiches or tenders, hot dogs, grill cheese sandwiches or a turkey burger. Of course, freshly cut fries will be available, along with other menu options.
''I've been open a week, already I've had 10 people tell me that it was the best burger they have ever had,'' he said. ''I've always enjoyed a good burger. There is something wholesome about them.''
Bronner said there is free delivery inside the mall and, coming soon, a $2 surcharge for deliveries in the Lakewood area. Also, people can call ahead to pick-up orders.
The business is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 763-0120.