Biz Buzz: Hickory restaurant owner opens pizza shop next door

Published at 11:05 am, January 9, 2019 | Updated at 10:57 am, February 10, 2021

Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

FlatRock 2 — Flat Rock Pizza, Bakery, & Grill now open inside Teton Village Plaza next to The Hickory | Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

Do you want to know what’s happening on the east Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered.

Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

BIZ BRIEF

REXBURG

Customers can now order custom pizzas at Rexburg pizza shop

FlatRock 3 — Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

REXBURG — The owner of The Hickory in Rexburg recently opened a pizza restaurant right next door along Second East.

Flat Rock Pizza, Bakery, & Grill opened Nov. 19 inside the Teton Village Plaza. Nate Johnston, one of the restaurant’s managers, tells EastIdahoNews.com after The Hickory moved from its old location on Main Street last year to its current location, they planned to open the pizza restaurant as an extension of The Hickory concept.

“We wanted a little difference, a little variety,” Johnston says. “We used some of our smoked meats in there to make really good barbecue pizza and throw a different twist on it.”

Flat Rock Pizza is a 500 square foot addition to The Hickory, which is known for its smoked meats. There is a separate entrance to Flat Rock outside, but the two restaurants are connected inside. Flat Rock’s menu currently offers homemade, brick-oven pizza that’s freshly made to order daily. They plan to offer subs, salads and pasta in the near future.

“We have some recipes we’ve put together and you can actually build your own. You can even take (a recipe) we’ve created and add to it or take away from it, whatever you like,” says Johnston.

Johnston says they also offer specialty treats and desserts, including cheesecake, pie, fruit danishes and cupcakes. Little knick-knack items are available as well.

A grand opening is in the works later this month. An exact date has not been determined. Johnston says they’re excited to grow their catering service and continue to serve customers.

“Business has been good. We’ve been able to accommodate customers and move large crowds through and take care of people better and quicker than we could at our old location,” Johnston says.

Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a 10 p.m. closing time Friday and Saturday.

If you have questions or want more information, give them a call at (208) 359-2328. You can also visit the website.

BIZ BITS

Passenger numbers soar to 10-Year high at Pocatello Regional Airport

POCATELLO – For a third year in a row, Pocatello Regional Airport’s traveler numbers have set a record. According to figures compiled by airport staff, the total number of passenger arrivals and departures for 2018 checked in at 90,661, a 15 percent increase over 2017. The new numbers are a 10-year high for passengers, showing a 95 percent jump from 46,599 passengers in 2009. EastIdahoNews.com will post a story soon.

Local children’s medical clinic partners with Primary Children’s Hospital

IDAHO FALLS – Just 4 Kids Urgent Care, an urgent care facility in Idaho Falls that specializes in pediatric medical care, is pleased to announce that they are working with Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to offer a one-stop shop for pediatric subspecialists in Idaho Falls. This collaboration will allow pediatric subspecialists from Primary Children’s Hospital to utilize the Just 4 Kids Urgent Care facilities to provide highly specialized care to children in the Idaho Falls area. Primary Children’s new location will be in the Just 4 Kids Urgent Care new expansion located at 3320 S. 25th East. EastIdahoNews.com is planning a more in-depth story soon.

Is YMCA coming to Sugar City?

SUGAR CITY – The YMCA may be opening up shop in Sugar City soon. The Rexburg Standard Journal reports Brigham Young University-Idaho and the Research and Business Development Center recently conducted a feasibility study on the potential need for a YMCA facility. The results, according to the Rexburg Standard Journal, show people are interested. Officials with the YMCA have expressed interest in a few locations, but it’s all very preliminary at this point.

BIZ BUGS

GYM MEMBERSHIPS

Looking for a gym? Here’s what you need to know

It’s a new year, and for many people that means hitting the gym.

The most common New Year’s resolution is losing weight. In 2018, people turned to the Better Business Bureau more than 12,000 times to look up health clubs, fitness centers and gyms. There were hundreds of complaints ranging from billing and collection issues to contract issues.

So, before you purchase a gym membership, here are a few things you may want to consider.

Warm up with a tour. Before signing up at any gym, ask to take a tour of the facilities. Make sure the gym has the equipment, classes and trainers you are looking for. Ask about busy times, wait times for equipment, whether classes require preregistration, and of course availability and cost of trainers.
Look for discounts. Gyms often offer specials at the beginning of the year. From free week-long membership passes to heavy discounts to first-time members, discounts are a great way to see if the gym is a good fit for you and to save on signup costs.
Know the true costs. While these special offers are meant to encourage new members, the price could go up more than you budgeted once the introductory period is over. Make sure you understand what the regular monthly fees will be and what they include.
Don’t feel coerced. Do not give in to high-pressure sales tactics to join right away. A reputable gym will want you to read the contract thoroughly before signing up. Make sure that all oral promises made by the salesperson are also in writing.
Ask how to end membership. Every year, the BBB receives a large number of complaints from people who joined gyms and didn’t realize that their contracts would renew automatically unless they took specific steps to cancel. Inquire about the policies in case you need to end your contract for any reason, including moving.
Check bbb.org. The BBB has business reviews on more than 15,000 health clubs, fitness centers and gyms. Read what previous customers say, and see how the businesses respond to complaints.