Zlotnick Construction Inc., a Mansfield company owned by UConn alumni, has business and educational connections with the Storrs Downtown construction project through their contract with Husky Pizza LLC. The mixed-use development, managed by LeylandAlliance LLC of Tuxedo, N.Y. aims to provide a college town feel with equal parts retail and residential space. Greg Zlotnick, CEO and president of Zlotnick Const., graduated from UConn with a bachelor of science degree in Engineering in 1972. His three sons, Peter, Michael, and Gregory all graduated from UConn also.
Zlotnick Const. had been following the progress of the development intently, encouraged by the economic vitality the project promised to bring to the area. Ahmet Akkus, a 14-year veteran of the restaurant industry, was also interested with the Storrs Downtown development, as his restaurant Husky Pizza, occupied a space in the 1254 Storrs Rd. building.
Akkus signed a lease with Leyland to open his restaurant in a new tenant space at 9 Dog Lane, adjacent to Storrs Automotive. Zlotnick Const.was awarded the contract to perform the construction fit out for Husky Pizza in July. "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the expansion of the Mansfield and UConn community," stated Zlotnick. The restaurant is currently under construction and scheduled to open in mid to late September.
Akkus plans to offer the same menu items featured at his previous restaurant as well as the addition of breakfast food and his mother's home cooked baklava. "Our first priority is to make the customers happy. If a customer leaves the store with smile, that means they will come back," Akkus said. He continued, "Nothing comes easy unless you put your belief and soul into whatever you do. You must have passion and love if you really want to expand in the business that you're dealing with." Akkus recently opened another Husky Pizza location on 1548 Main Street in Willimantic.