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Tuesday, Apr. 20, 1999

Bernard's to open downtown in old Blue Swan Delicatessen space

By JEFFREY TOMICH
Staff Writer

   The Blue Swan Delicatessen is being reborn, sort of. The cozy deli at 319 Lawrence St. will reopen by mid-May, but under new ownership, a new decor and a different name - Bernard's.
   For the most part, the menu will be different, too, but proprietors B.J. and Alana Seal are keeping a few Blue Swan favorites, such as its signature orange-potato salad.
   "The things people remember the most we've tried to incorporate," Alana Seal said.
   Bernard's menu will otherwise feature traditional deli fare: soups, salads and sandwiches made with bread that's baked daily. They'll also have shakes, smoothies and desserts.
   Also, the Seals are brightening up the Blue Swan's sparse decor.
   "It doesn't even resemble the place before," Alana Seal said, citing new copper tables and a tropical-themed mural.
   The deli is the first go at the restaurant business for B.J., a real estate broker, and Alana, a travel agent.
   Their dream was to start a pizzeria, but they didn't think the market or timing was right. Being fans of the Blue Swan, they opted to open a deli when the Blue Swan closed and the space became available.
   

Subway in Athletic Club

   The city's newest Subway franchise has opened at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club, 2101 Airline Road.
   Housed in a former office near the club's exit, the store is open to club members and non-members.
   Owner William Marin also owns two other Subway franchises in Corpus Christi.
   The new Subway offers a full menu, and Marin has applied for a license to sell beer and wine. If approved, the franchise would be among the first Subway stores in the nation to sell alcohol.
   

New Dollar General in town

   Dollar General has opened its 10th Corpus Christi area store at Mission Plaza shopping center, 4981 Ayers St.
   Founded in 1939, Nashville-based Dollar General still carries more than 1,500 items priced at $1 or less. Merchandise ranges from home cleaning supplies to housewares, beauty products and apparel.
   Dollar General opened more than 500 new stores in 1998, targeting rural and midsize markets. The company now operates 3,600 stores in 24 Midwestern and Southeastern states. Sales totaled $3.2 billion last year.
   

Auto service store to open

   Bubbles & Suds, a new full-service car wash and auto service store, will open Saturday at 9750 South Padre Island Drive.
   Owner Curtis Herbsleb, formerly a car salesman in San Antonio, has refurbished the Flour Bluff car wash, which had been vacant several years.
   Besides wash and wax packages and auto detailing services, Bubbles & Suds will sell gasoline and do oil changes.
   

Lingerie specialty shop

   Simply Irresistible, a lingerie retailer, has opened at Everhart Park shopping center at Everhart Road and Saratoga Boulevard, said Sam Loeb, leasing and marketing agent for property managers Landlord Resources.
   The new store is owned by Lora Craig of Corpus Christi, who formerly operated a mail-order company in California.
   Besides selling lingerie, Simply Irresistible specializes in home lingerie parties and bridal showers.
   

Burger King's redesign

   Fast-food giant Burger King announced plans last week to update its 10,000-plus restaurants for the new millennium.
   Burger King said changes will be sweeping and phased in over several years. Plans include redesigned kitchens, an updated logo and new color scheme.
   Drive-through customers will get clearer menus, transparent bags, an electronic display to show the cost of their order and an intercom station where they can request extra napkins and ketchup after picking up their order.
   On Retailing is published every other Tuesday in the Staff Writer business section, covering new, relocated and expanded businesses in the Coastal Bend, plus retailing trends and profiles. Ideas may be submitted to: On Retailing, Corpus Christi Staff Writer, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, Texas 78469; e-mail Jeffrey Tomich at tomichj@caller.com; fax items to (361) 886-3732; or call (361) 886-4316.

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  © 1999 Corpus Christi Caller Times, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.