From waiters' uniforms to Chilean sea bass, independent restaurant owners will soon be able to shop for all of their eateries' needs at a Tucson warehouse.
Construction is under way on Restaurant Depot, a wholesale cash-and-carry supplier headquartered in College Point, N.Y.
The 55,000-square-foot warehouse is being built along the frontage road on the east side of Interstate 10, just south of 22nd Street.
It is expected to open in November, said Ruben Vogel, the company's vice president.
"We carry everything from produce to paper supplies to equipment and cutlery," he said.
Restaurant Depot caters to small, independent restaurant owners, Vogel said, noting that most chain restaurants have national suppliers.
"There are a lot of independents in Tucson," he said. "And that is our niche."
People are also reading…
There are two other Restaurant Depots in the state - in Phoenix and Mesa.
"This is a nice complement to what we're doing in Arizona," Vogel said.
Doug Levy, owner of Tucson restaurant Feast, said representatives from Restaurant Depot visited his eatery a few months ago to let him know they were moving into the Tucson market.
"An operation like that is a real boon to Tucson," he said. "We're kind of a second city - we don't merit people carrying the kind of inventory that other cities do."
Levy said he plans to check out the warehouse once it's open.
"It's nice to have another option and it's nice to tighten up the competition," he said. "On the other hand, I'm also an independent business owner and my heart goes out to independent restaurant suppliers."
Now hiring
Restaurant Depot is now accepting applications for warehouse workers. The company plans to hire up to 40 people. Pick up an application at the trailer on the construction site, which is along the frontage road on the east side of Interstate 10, just south of 22nd Street.
More information
To learn more about Restaurant Depot and its products, go online to restaurantdepot.com
Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at grico@azstarnet.com or 573-4232.