COLUMN: Bowls of sweets and superfoods | Business

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT ZOET?

February’s an enormous month for Sharon Hooijkaas and Jordy Beumer of Punta Gorda’s Zoet Candy Boutique and Zoet Snack Bar, perennial award winners for finest ice cream and dessert.

Not solely is Zoet (pronounced “zooht”; Dutch for “candy”) the city’s sweetest spot for Valentine’s goodies. Its enterprise anniversary — this one the sixth — falls in February. So do the anniversaries of the homeowners’ first date 10 years in the past and marriage ceremony seven years in the past.

However that six-year possession benchmark tastes bittersweet.

Many shoppers don’t notice that, although Zoet has develop into a fixture of Punta Gorda life, Netherlanders Beumer and Hooijkaas are right here by sufferance of the U.S. State Division.

Some loyal prospects bear in mind a nailbiter from 5 years in the past.

The homeowners needed to shut store and journey to the U.S. Embassy within the Netherlands to resume their E-2 visa — at the moment issued to buyers for from one to 5 years.

Zoet needed to display each profitability and a singular contribution to the native economic system.

Anne Lomski of Punta Gorda, who’s used Zoet for caterings, was astounded to assume the enterprise might be in jeopardy.

She mentioned, “Their dedication and dedication, getting and maintaining this going, are actually spectacular. Lots of people assume you go into enterprise and simply go residence at 5 o’clock. Sharon and Jordy have been there from the start seven days per week, 7 a.m. to eight p.m. They’d zero time without work, ever.”

Todd Craig and associate Ronnie Winters, who used to run Punta Gorda’s Village Oyster Bar and thus know a factor or two concerning the enterprise, exclaimed, “They’re unbelievable entrepreneurs — the sort we have to come into this nation, roll up their sleeves and get to work.”

On the time of their renewal, Sharon had mentioned, “We nonetheless consider within the American dream. We hope they’ll simply say, ‘Right here you go. You’re good for 5 extra years.’”

Ultimately, they received these 5 years.

Bother is, issues are totally different now.

At present, the longest potential visa renewal interval is 2 to 3 years at a time — not practically lengthy sufficient to develop the enterprise the best way Beumer says they wish to.

Earlier than even renewing, there’s that interview on the embassy. And immediately’s sluggish financial atmosphere means outrageous wait instances for an appointment — generally a 12 months and a half, much more.

Finally, an E-2 visa assumes they’ll return to the Netherlands.

However, mentioned Beumer, “We’ve constructed up manner an excessive amount of to only go away. I don’t see myself going again to Europe anytime quickly.”

So, the couple’s best choice is aiming for a inexperienced card — which permits them to reside and work completely in america — by demonstrating by endorsements their distinctive information, expertise, talents and expertise.

Hooijkaas mentioned, “Folks will drive right here for 12 hours and make a weekend of it as a result of we’re the one conventional Dutch café within the space. And we provide six different native companies — together with The Celtic Ray for Guinness ice cream.”

“We might like to be U.S. residents at some point, as a result of we love being right here,” added Beumer.

Apprehensive diners, wholesale prospects and authorities representatives are writing letters of help for the Zoet couple, hoping to maintain them thriving on U.S. soil.

Zoet ($-$$), 941-769-1746, 27670 Bermont Street (Winn-Dixie plaza), is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to eight p.m.

PUNTA GORDA’S NEW BOWL GAME

Jamie Richardson used to serve a really totally different bowlful of meals 5 years in the past, at her household’s Punta Gorda all-barbecue restaurant: 2 Crackers and a Yankee.

The Cracker Bowl — “barbecue in a bowl” — gave you mashed potatoes, pulled pork, baked beans, slaw and sauce, multi function mouthful.

That doesn’t imply Richardson ate it on a regular basis.

“It’s been six months since I’ve really chosen to go eat barbecue,” she mentioned.

“Working with the Pink Sox like Lee does, the dietary finish of issues has at all times been one thing we’ve loved. However if you desire a fast, wholesome lunch, what do you do? We determined to do it ourselves.”

Gorda Bowls, managed by Alexandra Gauss from the Richardsons’ Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar, now serves savory poke build-your-own bowls that may be something from a conventional poke with salmon or tuna to a steak salad. No matter you need.

Right here, you stroll the serving line to decide on your personal base from sushi rice and coconut-infused black rice to combined greens for the carb aware. Then decide from 9 totally different proteins, 20 toppings, crunchy/spicy garnishes and dressings. Costs fluctuate, not in line with variety of toppings, however by variety of totally different proteins, from one (small) to 3 (massive).

Antioxidant-loaded chilled açai (candy palm berries) and pitaya (earthy dragonfruit) bowls are available in predetermined decisions like Life’s A Seaside, PB&J and Dragonberry, or the everything-goes, large-size Peacock for many who can’t determine.

You may also stroll the counter and construct your personal, utilizing açai or pitaya base, fruit and goodie add-ins, and drizzles of something from honey to Nutella or caramel.

Then wash all of it down with wholesome fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies.

Gorda Bowls ($$, O), 941-347-8926, 117 Herald Courtroom, Punta Gorda, is open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday to 4 p.m.

Ship restaurant and bar information and proposals to columnist Sue Wade at suewade47@aol.com.

Common value ranges are $ = cheap (below $10), $$ = average ($11-$30), and $$$ = expensive (over $30), together with tip and beverage. Outdoors seating out there = O.