Junior Bryce Garman did not know what the Pita Pit was when the restaurant moved into the Village in May. But now, Garman eats food from the establishment between three and five days a week.
Garman and junior Connor Dant, a photojournalism major, started going to the Pita Pit because his friends work there, but the two students also enjoy the food at the restaurant. "I like how they deliver," Dant said. But, he said, the location is good for him to go to the restaurant as well.
"We don't have to waste gas to get [to the restaurant]," he said.
From vegetarian meals, such as falafels and hummus, to Garman's favorite roast beef pita, the restaurant offers a wide variety of options for the casual dining experience.
The Pita Pit is the third franchise sandwich shop in the Village, joining Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop and Subway, but owner Lucas Smelser said the Pita Pit offers a separate sandwich genre than Jimmy John's, the closest competitor.
"They serve cold subs," he said. "We serve hot pitas."
Smelser sees the relationship the shops have as a friendly competition.
Adding a shop in the Village brings in foot traffic, he said, and that is good for all business in the area.
"If they eat here once a week, I'm happy," Smelser said.
In the fall of 2005, Smelser announced he would open the business in December. But, because of financial and personal concerns, the store opened May 30.
"I was a little bit nervous because we didn't open until all the students left," Smelser said. "We've been able to at least stay open during the summer."
Since students returned to campus, sales have increased at least 50 percent, he said.
"I really like the town," Smelser said. "I love how friendly everyone is."
In the two-and-a-half months the business has been open, the Pita Pit has gathered a few loyal customers, including Garman and Dant.
At least one department from Ball Memorial Hospital orders daily from the restaurant, Smelser said.
In the long-term, Smelser said he hopes to get more involved with the community as he becomes more settled.
During the weekend, the Pita Pit donated food for the referees in the Starsoccer tournament.
Pam Price, director of community and government relations with the Muncie Chamber of Commerce and referree coordinator for Starsoccer, coordinated the deal with the 80-team tournament.
"I went in and approached him," she said. "And he was very excited about helping us."
Price said she planned on working with the Pita Pit in the future.
"I will patronize his business as well as promote it to others," she said.
Smelser, who helped open three of the four Pita Pits in Ohio, said he also hoped to start the Pita Pit market in Indiana, The first Pita Pit in Indiana was built in West Lafayette, but Smelser said he plans on opening in Bloomington and in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis.
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