Gambino's expanding to Hays

By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

Jana Herdman has wanted to open a Gambino's Pizza in Hays for nearly a decade.

She'll get a chance in early November. A carry-out and delivery pizza restaurant is set to open next to the Dillons store at 27th and Hall by Nov. 1.

"I think the potential in Hays is outstanding," Herdman said. "I have for many years. There's a good client base there."

Herdman, who lives in Rush Center, also operates restaurants in Victoria and La Crosse.

She hopes the store will create between 10 to 15 job opportunities and looks to begin hiring later this month. The additional jobs will be good news for the local economy, said Mike Michaelis, executive director of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development.

"Any new business is good," he said. "Any jobs are good, and of course that helps diversify things and helps the economy grow. And that's a good thing for all of us."

The space is small, only about 1,400 square feet, Herdman said. It is the former home of a puppy store and will be completely remodeled before opening.

Other locations, like the vacant building on the corner of 13th and Canterbury, were considered, but Herdman wanted a location with heavy foot traffic, she said.

"We're thinking with it being next to Dillons, people will run in and get their groceries, and maybe stop for some pizza," she said.

Despite rumors, there are no plans to close the Victoria location, Herdman said. That restaurant saw significant changes two years ago when it relocated to a bigger space, and it continues to do well, she said.

While Hays already is home to several pizza restaurants, Herdman hopes to bring something new to the mix. Gambino's offers an extensive menu, including appetizers, pastas, sandwiches, 13 specialty pizzas and calzones. The chain tries to expand the menu every year, she said.

"Our slogan is more toppings, more taste, more value," she said. "I think that it would be something that Hays is really needing."