Ask Richard Call to define longevity and he has a thoughtful response. The nine-year Crossroads Plaza pizza man has "seen it all."
Call's Lotsa Hotsa shop opened with the mall in 1980. The pizza man attributes his long stay to the "family atmosphere we foster in our staff. I have three employees who have been with me for more than six years. One of my long-term employees, Bonnie Olson, plays softball. We sponsor her team and attend the games. My nephew works here; my children's sitter was promoted to a job here. We're a group that really works together and that shows in the quality of the food we serve."For Call and others, this week marks a grand opening of the newly renovated Richards Street Marketplace.
For customers who recall wandering through the complicated maze of food vendors in the mall before the remodeling, the new open, airy atmosphere may come as a surprise. The food court has been redesigned with each vendor occupying a space on the outer perimeter of a semi-circle.
In addition to long-term tenants like Lotsa Hotsa, Schmidt's Pastry Cottage, Golden Spoon, Mrs. Cavanaugh's, The Broiler, Molly's, The Squeeze, Dask's Greek to Me, On's Chinese, Sardini's and the Taco Maker, the mall is opening the doors to newcomers Arby's, Chic-Fil-A and Mr. Bee's (featuring baked potatoes).
Scheduled to open in the near future are the California Hot Dog, Mrs. Field's Bakery and Cafe, Rotisserie Chicken, Sensuous Sandwich and a Swiss Colony cheese shop.
The grand reopening festivities included the Utah premiere of "The Pizza Plot," presented by comic book characters, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Special guests at the celebration were families of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, an organization that works to grant the wishes of terminally ill children.
Crossroads Plaza has selected Make-a-Wish Foundation of Northern Utah to be the recipient of monies collected regularly from the new Marketplace fountain. During the celebration, the initial donation was presented to the Foundation.
Continued grand opening activities include:
Saturday, Aug. 5:
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Clown making balloon animals
11 a.m., 2 & 4 p.m. - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
12 noon & 5 p.m. - Alice Dysart's Fantasy Players
Sunday, Aug. 6:
1, 2 & 4 p.m. - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
12 noon & 5 p.m. - Alice Dysart's Fantasy Players