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WHAT DO THE NEIGHBORS THINK?

HOUSTON -- Officials with Rice Epicurean Market here said the Rice unit situated directly across the street from Eatzi's here has experienced no drop in deli-food service or bakery sales since the hybrid grocery store-restaurant opened its doors late this summer.Eatzi's as competition, and that his chain stands on solid ground when it comes to prepared food. "What Eatzi's is doing is bringing more

HOUSTON -- Officials with Rice Epicurean Market here said the Rice unit situated directly across the street from Eatzi's here has experienced no drop in deli-food service or bakery sales since the hybrid grocery store-restaurant opened its doors late this summer.

Eatzi's as competition, and that his chain stands on solid ground when it comes to prepared food. "What Eatzi's is doing is bringing more people into the area, like the way 'restaurant rows' attract people," Dick said.

"This is the direction we've been going in for the last nine years. We've had our Haute To Go for two years, and we offer more to make it easier for the customer," the Rice executive said.

"You can't buy toothpaste and toilet paper at Eatzi's," he added. "But the whole concept is great. It has it's place in the market."

Another supermarket source in Houston agreed with Dick's assessment of the presence and impact of Eatzi's.

"It's a good concept, but you can't get your whole bill of goods there. We have different customers," the supermarket executive said.