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The following is an article from the Chanute Tribune article on August 24, 2004.
by Shanna Foster-Guiot
Tribune writer
David Fryd was busy this morning working in his new role as
restaurateur at Tioga Suites. The clean-up of the dining area,
bar, lounge, kitchens and ballroom is a daunting task, but
Fryd looks forward to digging in and getting it done. He plans
to open the restaurant Nov. 1.
With the approval Monday night of the $200,000 loan to Tioga
owner Todd Johnson from the city's revolving loan fund, work
will begin immediately on preparations to open the restaurant
and bar in the building's first floor.
The plan to house a restaurant in the building comes as no
surprise. However, the names of the restaurant operators
may be a bit unexpected.
David "Yankee Dave" Fryd and his wife, Kathy, will soon
assume new roles as restaurateurs.
"Do we know what we're getting into? Absolutely not," Fryd
said. "Are we going to give it 200 percent and make it work?
Absolutely, yes we are."
Fryd has been interested for some time in owning a
restaurant in Chanute, but wants the experience to go
beyond dining.
"We will have a murder mystery night and we will have
entertainment," he said. "I want it to be totally different."
The restaurant will be called Sophia's - named after Fryd's
mother - while the bar and lounge area will go by Sweet
Caroline's.
"That's because of the Neil Diamond song," Fryd said. "He's
my idol. I've seen him 22 times in concert."
Concerts in general are a favorite enterprise of Fryd. He
promoted the 4th of July Kansas concert this year in Chanute
and has already scheduled the venue for the same holiday
weekend in 2005. Fryd also serves subpoenas as owner of
Four State Subpoenas. Those businesses are part of his
primary company, Yankee Dave Enterprises, LLC. The
restaurant will also fall under the corporation.
"I will continue to promote concerts in the area and also
continue to serve subpoenas, and my wife will continue her
job at the hospital (in information systems)," Fryd explained.
"But I will be spending the majority of my time at the
restaurant. This will definitely be top priority for me, it has to
be, I think, if it's going to work."
The restaurant enterprise will require some up-front
investment, but Fryd made it clear that he and his wife would
be funding the project themselves.
"We are not going out and getting a loan for this, from the city
or from anywhere else," he said. "This will be self-funded. We
are pouring ourselves into it."
Growing up in New York City, Fryd's family had a catering
business for more than 25 years, so he's not looking blindly at
the prospect of running a restaurant.
"I was a banquet server for my family. I know the proper
etiquette for fine dining," he said. "As far as the menu goes,
that will depend on the chef we hire."
Fryd will begin interviewing for the head chef position in the
next few weeks and will then begin the menu planning. But he
promises that fine dining in his restaurant won't mean a
confusing menu.
"We are going to have something for everybody, but it's all
going to be the best," he said. "There will be full descriptions
of the dishes, but if someone can't pronounce the name of it,
they're not going to want to eat it."
Initially, Sophia's will be open for lunch and dinner, seven
days a week. The restaurant will also provide breakfast for
the residents and guests of Tioga Suites, and Fryd said he
would like to eventually offer Sunday brunch. The ballroom on
the second floor will also be Fryd's territory, and he will lease
that space as well as several meeting rooms for special
events.
"David and Kathy certainly have the ability to put together an
excellent restaurant," said Johnson after Monday night's
meeting. "We were all on the same page as far as what we
expect of the restaurant. I really believe the restaurant will
attract (customers) from quite a distance. It will be unique."
Depending on when repairs to the building's roof and other
areas are completed by Johnson, Fryd would like to see the
restaurant open to the public by Nov. 1.
"We can't open until the building's ready," Fryd said, "but
Todd's going to want to get that work done as soon as
possible for his own interests, too."
Fryd is looking forward to working with Johnson on the
project.
"When we met, we just hit it off," Fryd said. "It was a great
match, a great opportunity and it's going to be great. I will
have Main Street buzzing."
08/24/2004; 11:25:17 AM