By Alex Davidson
Nick Papaspiridakos, owner of Woodhaven’s Snack Attack, wanted to use his teacher training experience to make sure children felt comfortable when they ventured into his store on Jamaica Avenue.
His tenure as a kindergarten student teacher while at Queens College, helped him to create a business strategy that tries to attract young people by including pictures of balloons, clowns and cartoon children all over his store’s walls. The pictures, combined with candy, hotdogs and donuts he sells at his 90-04 Jamaica Ave. storefront, have made for a successful new business.
“I have a little of everything for kids of all ages,” Papaspiridakos said, standing in front of his two-foot-high counter top that is low so children can see the store’s candy selection. “I am trying to make something different, a little bit old fashioned.”
Papaspiridakos, who opened his store on Sept. 1, 2001, sells bagels, donuts, muffins, hot pretzels, knishes, candy and sandwiches. He said his business is the only one of its kind along Jamaica Avenue that offers patrons fresh grilled hotdogs and for that reason they sell out very fast.
Although he aims a large portion of his business at younger consumers, Papaspiridakos said he also attracts adults who enjoy the store’s clean atmosphere and high-quality products.
“You do not have to be a certain age to enjoy something,” he said.
Papaspiridakos, a 12-year resident of Woodhaven who is originally from Astoria, previously managed two similar stores in Manhattan and said there he learned how to build a profitable business. He said he buys high-end products to make sure patrons learn to expect the taste of real butter and fresh ham and then choose to come back to his corner shop.
He said he decided not to sell beer and cigarettes to distinguish Snack Attack from other eateries on the Woodhaven thoroughfare and to make sure his three children, who live only a block away, have a safe place to go during the day.
“You do not want to get into a business you do not know anything about,” Papaspiridakos said. “I am giving (customers) Madison Avenue treatment in Woodhaven.”
Papaspiridakos’ integration of his past as a teacher with the role of a businessman has helped Snack Attack thrive along the revitalized Jamaica Avenue, which has been rejuvenated during the past 10 years with the help of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District, he said.
“We have all the good stuff,” he said. “If you come in, you will find something. If not, I will make it.”
Reach reporter Alex Davidson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156
