Just a couple of more weeks, says owner Kent Chu.
The renovation is complete and they are awaiting the final inspections. That the new South Pleasant Street location has not previously been outfitted as a restaurant is among the reasons for the long delay, said Chu. He praised Town Manager Larry Shaffer for assisting with “all these bottlenecks” in the permitting process.
Once the new location opens, it will have seating for 68, an expanded menu, and table service for dinner, explained Claudia Chu, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband.
At that point, the Chus will close the Main Street location for a brief renovation, and reopen it with a new name and new offerings. That space will become “Take5” and will feature a more western menu, including panini, international stews, salads and specialty sandwiches.
Kent Chu said that Take5 will follow the Fresh Side tradition of jazzing up a conventional dish.
“For example, if we were to have a roast beef sandwich, we would give it a little different spin,” he said. “We might use cilantro instead of green leaf lettuce.”
He said the Fresh Side model of multiple variations on a dish would carry over to Take5 as well, explaining that stews would be available as a vegan offering or with chicken or beef. Additionally, much of Take5’s major food preparation – such as the soup stocks, sauces and salad dressings – will occur at the new Fresh Side, allowing the Take5 staff to focus on customer service and final prep such as chopping fresh vegetables.
As with Fresh Side, Take5 meals will be available both to eat-in or take-out.
The Chus hope readying the Main Street space will be quick – less than two months – and don’t anticipate any complications, because there is no change in ownership or management involved.
“But,” said Kent Chu, “we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
In the meantime, he said they have over-staffed Fresh Side for training purposes, in preparation for running both locations.
The Take5 name came about after much discussion and feedback among customers, staff and family members. Kent Chu said that while other businesses also use that name, no one had previously incorporated it with the State.
-- Stephanie O’Keeffe
