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MOHEGAN LAKE, N.Y. Moni Patel had been trying to set up a Pizza Hut in the Yorktown area for a while, and remained patient until he could find the right location. He found that spot in the former Charlie Brown's restaurant storefront on Route 6 in Mohegan Lake, and the new Pizza Hut is expected to open next week after the staff of 45 to 50 is properly trained.
The location adjoins a new TCBY that Patel and his wife, Parul, opened last weekend.
"We used to live in Queens and we always wanted to open our own business," said Patel, a former mailman who used to run the Newsroom at the Jefferson Valley Mall near his home, and who has run a successful Taco Bell franchise in the Kmart shopping center for the past 12 years. "Route 6 is a main road and Pizza Hut is a name brand. People like the product."
Pizza Hut will offer a full menu with a sit-down restaurant, including a salad bar. It will also deliver. Patel said the restaurant will be able to serve beer in about six to eight months.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Patel expects the eatery to be popular, as the closest Pizza Hut is in Pleasantville.
Yorktown Council member Terrence Murphy said it's a good sign that Yorktown is able to attract businesses like Pizza Hut and Costco Wholesale Club.
"With all these businesses opening in Yorktown, it's definitely putting us on the map," he said. "I think Yorktown is out way ahead of other towns in terms of economic development."
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