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Zuccess Story!
Zoup! has warmed our hearts and tummies for 17 years.
W
hen it opened back in 1998,
Folks love the soups, sandwiches and sal-
many people probably thought,
ads that it now offers ... Sandwiches today
"Here we go again, another new
include tuna with lemon and capers, chicken
concept in eating. This one won't last too
Greek, turkey club, chicken Toscana, tomato
long, either!"
basil, veggie wrap, etc. ... and eight salads.
Well, here it is, more than 17 years later,
Seating on Northwestern Highway was orig-
and the idea originally conceived locally by
inally just for 40, but next-door space became
good friends and partners Eric Ersher and
vacant and was rented to provide additional
David Elias is today bigger than ever.
seats that now number about 74 ... And new
Danny Raskin
Only soup was served at that time ...
technology systems include a point-of-sale
Senior Columnist
along with a hunk of sourdough or multi-
system and digital menu boards, which help
grain bread.
customer flow and accommodate the ever-
I think there were about 12 soups that alternated
revolving soup menu.
among the hundreds made by Zoup! when it first
Biggest customer picks include creamy chicken soup
opened on Northwestern Highway, north of 12 Mile
with mixed vegetables and garnished with crumbled pie
Road in the Franklin Plaza, Southfield ... The locale is
crust, lobster bisque, crawfish and a hint of sherry, gumbo,
still there.
and vegetarian split pea with green split peas, parsley,
Twelve revolving soups continue to be offered among
carrots, celery, onions and garlic ... In fact, almost all
hundreds and many more award-winning daily varieties, the soups at Zoup! have become the favorites of many.
including low-fat, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and
It even has seasonal favorites including an MTB
spicy options ... Each order is still served with a hunk
sandwich (mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil), vari-
of freshly baked bread ... but
ous tasty hot soups that truly warm
now also, upon request, salads
a person's innards in the drastic cold
and sandwiches.
weather, etc.
Zoup!'s kitchen at the
Now owned by Eric Ersher and
beginning was then in the
Richard Simtob, Zoup!'s vast reper-
Eastern Market in Detroit and
toire of soups includes Loco Burrito,
the soup fixins were prepared
grilled chicken, chicken Caesar,
in another rented space ...
tomato spinach or whatever is on that
Eric and Dave had been told
day's menu ... even a creamy ground
that soup was consumed
beef soup loaded with American and
in the billions of portions,
cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions, dill
and good soup wasn't that
pickle relish, etc. ... plus the sand-
Richard Simtob and Eric Ersher
easy to find ... So with two
wiches and salads ... that can all be
other partners, their dads, Ed
consumed at Zoup! or carried out.
Ersher and Hanley Elias, Eric and Dave set out to feed
This is truly another wonderful success story ...
the world their soup.
backed by a lot of determination and ingenuity that
The more than 17 years have seen that little sprout
today adds up to a fantastic idea turned into a favored
grow into an even greater, beautiful tall tree as Zoup!
venture that can only get bigger.
continues to become bigger and better than ever ... As
THE LEASE HAS BEEN SIGNED and one of
well as the original site in Southfield, people today can
Michigan's most popular restaurants will soon rise again
also enjoy Zoup! at more than 75 locations in the north-
... The new location of Pepino's, following its recent
ern half of the U.S. and Canada ... and locally, too, in
devastating fire in Walled Lake, will be the former site
Troy, Novi, Northville, Plymouth, Pontiac, Detroit and
of Mike Larco's A La Carte on Orchard Lake Road, in
Ann Arbor.
Sylvan Lake, which is next to Keego Harbor.
CANTOR SAMUEL
GREENBAUM
Thinking as usual of the best for their customers,
the big rush for a new locale by Pepino's owners Kathy
Kwiecinski, Carol Carson and Dr. Chris Hutchinson
is also because of their placing major priority on the
return of their wonderful staff of employees ... Transfer
of liquor licenses takes about two to four weeks and
hope is for opening by New Year's Eve ... If it is not
back in time, perhaps a special events license may be
obtained, says Kathy.
GIVING A FREE AND complete turkey dinner
to everyone, all ages, old or young, for 25 years is
unheard of ... First year by Moe's on Ten, 10 Mile, west
of Haggerty, Novi, there were 1,000, and by Leon's on
Michigan, Dearborn, around 2,000 ... This year, it'll
again be the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov.
25, 3-8 p.m. ... Turkey, chicken soup, mashed potatoes,
green beans, pumpkin pie and soft drink.
Quite a way to thank America by Moe Leon and
brother Sam Leon ... Not even tipping ... or promotions
or tricks ... Just an unbelievable gesture!
DANDY DINING DEAL ... 8-10 ounce fresh white-
fish ... $6.95 ... 10 days only ... Includes potato latke
or mashed potatoes, soup or salad, vegetable and bread
basket ... Thursday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 6 ...
Open Thanksgiving Day until 3 p.m. (regular hours the
other nine days) ... No coupons ... Siegel's Deli, 15 Mile
just west of Haggerty, Commerce Township.
MAKING ROUNDS ... To Fiddler, Orchard Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, for Cornish hen ... To Elie's,
Pierce, Birmingham, for chicken shwarma.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... Three grandmothers are sit-
ting on a park bench. The first lets out a heartfelt "Oy!"
A few minutes later the second grandmother sighs
deeply and says, "Oy vey!"
A few minutes after that, the third lady brushes away
a tear and moans, "Oy veyizmir!" to which the first
grandma replies, "I thought we agreed that we weren't
going to talk about our grandchildren!"
CONGRATS ... To Michele Nagel on her birthday ...
To Joe Sposita on his birthday ... To William Nosanchuk
on his birthday ... To Dennis and Sharon Green on their
14th anniversary ... To David and Melanee Radner on
their 10th anniversary. *
Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .
(o ft lz>
AMERICAN CUISINE
Hours: Monday-Saturday 4pm-10pm
Sunday 4pm-9pm
Certified Mohel —
Answering all of your anesthetic
& aftercare needs.
Join us for
Happy Hour
Skill, Sensitivity and Tradition
come together to create your special Bris.
Monday through Friday
4PM-7PM
Cell: (248) 417-5632
(248) 855-A BOY (2269)
Office: (248) 547-7970
855ABoy@gmail.corn
64 November 26 2015
31260 Wakefield, Novi, MI
WINE BAR
111.11.11.I 1111
10% Discount
Total Food Bill
Dine-in only, with coupon.
I Not valid with any special pricing
or other offers. Expires 1/7/16.
(South side of 14 Mile Rd between Welch and Novi Rd)
248.519.4444 I www.bottlz-novi.com
2039290