After two years of planning and construction, Olympic Restaurant Equipment is open for business in its new location at the corner of Dryke Road and U.S. Highway 101 West.

The business relocated from 425 E. Washington St. A moving crew transported more than 60 truckloads of inventory and merchandise in below-freezing temperatures, snow and ice, and rain earlier this year.

A grand reopening celebration will take place in the coming weeks although an exact date hasn't been set.

"It's amazing," said Eric Schwartz, owner and founder, about the move.

"We are so happy to be here and have received a lot of positive feedback about the building and the new showroom."

The food service equipment dealer was awarded a $5,000 business-development consulting grant from the Excell Marketing and Procurement Group for being one of the agency's top 20 dealers across the nation in terms of growth potential and participation last year.

Schwartz put the money toward expanding and relocating.

The new building is bigger than the previous by at least 2,000 square feet. It has more storage space, increased stock and a customer-friendly layout that makes finding products easier, Schwartz said.

At least 200 new items are on display and available for sale that weren't at the previous location, including wash, rinse and dry chemicals for industrial dishwashing machines.

"The Food Network has revolutionized home cooking again," Schwartz said.

"People are seeing all the things they can do in their homes and we want to provide everything they need to do that."

Schwartz, a classically trained chef whose résumé includes working in restaurants, corporate resorts and operating his own catering company for years, opened Olympic Restaurant Equipment nine years ago.

The business started as a one-man operation in Schwartz's one-car garage, grew to a small Carlsborg warehouse and then moved into a space in downtown Sequim.

When approached by Excell, the future of Olympic Restaurant Equipment was changed forever, Schwartz said.

"We've had our growing pains like most businesses have but we are networked with a national group and are able to pass along a lot of savings."

Although Olympic Restaurant Equipment serves restaurants, schools, hospitals, assisted-living and nursing homes, and area tribal casinos, the business is open to the public and sells dozens of small appliances and kitchenware suitable for homeowners - a fact Schwartz is eager to share.

From tableware and handheld can openers to salt and pepper shakers and industrial-size espresso makers, Olympic Restaurant Equipment has everything to fully stock a family or commercial kitchen, Schwartz said.

To be added to Olympic Restaurant Equipment's monthly mailing list and receive company updates, specials and discounts, visit www.olympickitchens.com and click on "Mailing List" at the top right hand side of the page.



Ashley Miller can be reached at ashleyo@sequimgazette.com.