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November 26, 2004
Pini's delivers on pizza
A new kosher establishment opens in Vancouver.
KYLE BERGER
If there were any doubt in Pinhas (Pini) Kahlon's mind that the
Jewish community of Greater Vancouver was starving for another kosher
food establishment, it was put to rest on Saturday night.
More than 200 people lined up outside the doors of Pini's kosher
pizza, grocery store and café, to indulge in what the young
entrepreneur hopes will become the new flavor of the Jewish community.
"We didn't just open to make money, this is something that
the community really needs," he said. "I want people to
come meet here, I want people to study or have classes here. And
we're going to put in a TV so on Saturday nights, parents can leave
their kids here, we'll close the door and the kids can eat pizza,
ice cream and watch a movie."
Kahlon said he got the idea to specialize in pizza because it seemed
to be the only way he could convince his wife, Radmilla, to live
in Vancouver.
"My wife said that she would only move to Vancouver if a pizza
place opened," he laughed. "And I know that this is what
the community needs. There is already a meat restaurant," Kahlon
said, referring to Sabra on Oak Street. "Omnitsky's does deli
and the JCC has [Chagall's] so I was looking for something that
the community doesn't have.
"A dairy place is something I think the community really needs.
Somewhere to get pizza, ice cream, lasagne, caesar salad or Greek
salad."
Although the finished menu will be coming soon, Kahlon said he will
sell his pizzas at a cost between $12 and $22, depending on size
and toppings. They include real cheese from Israel (pareve pizza
can also be made by request) and he also offers delivery in the
evenings.
Since Pini's will be open as early as 8 a.m. certain days, and will
close as late as 9 p.m., it will also have a breakfast menu where
an omelette, with salad and a bagel can be purchased for $3.49.
In the grocery section, Pini's features a wide variety of kosher
snacks and candies from all over the world. Many items, like kosher
Mentos candies imported from Holland and Baskin 'n' Robbins hard
candies from the United States, have not yet been sold in the Vancouver
area. Kahlon also has freezers stocked with Chai kosher meats and
poultry, pizzas, vegetarian meals, fish and, most notably, kosher
cheese.
Kahlon learned the kosher food business while working under his
father Simon, who owns Sabra Kosher Restaurant.
Simon and Pini talked about opening a new store five years ago,
but that plan was put on hold when Pini decided to move to Toronto
to study at a yeshivah there. He met his wife in Toronto and they
moved back to Vancouver two years ago. They first planned to go
back to Toronto to open a restaurant there, then considered moving
to Israel before the location on West 16th Avenue became available.
Located just down the street from both Beth Hamidrash and Shaarey
Tefilah synagogues, Kahlon felt that it was the right place and
time to open his new store.
He renovated what used to be a business office into a pizza and
grocery store with a trendy feel, one that he hopes will also attract
all the local coffee drinkers to try his kosher coffees, cappuccinos
and lattés. However, there is still more work to be done,
including hanging his store-front sign, which will be done this
week.
For more information about Pini's, call 604-879-7100.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
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