HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-07-13, Page 3New business owner plans
to keep Hunt's legacy alive
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
The government name John
Hunt will always be recognized
around town by many titles
-father, papa as well as a
numerous -times over entrepre-
neur, but A.J. (Ege) Zorlu will
forever consider him a guru in
the food business.
Hunt, passed away at the
Grand River Hospital in Kitch-
ener on June 28, he was 57. It
seemed as if it was yesterday
when Zorlu took his modem
light blue BMW for a cruise into
the countryside. Now it has the
huge logo of Johnny's Sub &
Sandwich Cafe plastered across
its side.
At the lime, Hunt had closed
down the shop due to apparent
health reasons; the sign had a
message explaining some of the
details. Zorlu had recentlygrad-
uated from the University of
Westem with a business desig-
nation. As a result of success-
fully finishing his post -second-
ary education the 24 -year-old
was able to immediately land a
job in his field at Info -Tech
Research Group in his home-
town of London Ont
During the hour drive
through the unfamiliar rustic
rural landscape Zorlu came
across the note and recorded
the number in his cell phone.
He wanted something different,
the corporate employment left
him searching in a different
direction. Soon after returning
home, Zorlu made the "sponta-
neous" decision to see who was
behind the for sale sign. To his
advantage, the man selling the
store was Hunt who had 30
years' experience in the
Shuffleboard scores
Shuffleboard scores for
July 6.
Men's high: Arnold Ram-
sey, Cor DeCorte 4 wins,
Red Vantyghem 3 wins.
Women's high: Cathe-
rine DeCorte 4 wins, Edith
Hodgins 3 wins.
restaurant industry. For the
time being, Huntwas the owner
of Johnny's Sub & Sandwich
Cafe. The conversation
between the two businessmen
ended, and without delay the
London native had the recipes,
supply list and the keys to the
joint.
"Everything happened so
fast, I got the store, we start talk-
ing,
alking, I develop a relationship
with him, then I tallcto him days
before and all of sudden he
passed away," stated Zorlu in
the recently opened sandwich
cuisine on Seaforth's main drag.
Upon purchasing the estab-
lishment, Zorlu informed Hunt
that he had no experience in
small business. None of that
mattered, Hunt promised he
would train him for as long as
was required.
"He wanted to be involved in
it up to the point where I was
comfortable managing it, that
was the initial plan. When you
are a 100 per cent comfortable, I
will stop my assistance," Hunt
told him.
The two hit it off after a few
days of working together, Hunt
passed down the store while
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 • Huron Expositor 3
A.J. (Ege) Zorlu stares off at the Johnny's Sub & Sandwich sign. He recently purchased the business
from John Hunt who died on June 28. The young entrepreneur wants the community to know the
restaurant will always be Johnny's.
also gaining a friendship. Zorlu
said they started to think of
other avenues to expand the
revenue; at one point the two
were going to open a bar in
town.
"He was my dad's age, so
when you meet someone your
dad's age, it becomes more per-
sonal;' he said.
It's been two weeks since
Seaforth was obligated to bid
farewell to the well-known sta-
ple in this small civic destina-
tion. It's a rather hushed
atmosphere for sales at the
moment. In remembrance of
Hunt's death the new owner
said the shop will remain as it
always was -Johnny's. Hunt's
office is still there, his handwrit-
ing is on the menu. The secret
bread from a small Italian gem
an hour away still makes the
sandwiches complete.
"It's not AJ's, it's his, Zorlu
told the Expositor June 8.
"Ultimately this is his final
store, founder John Hunt
with his picture on the wall
not mine."
At this present time Zorlu is
doing everything in his power
to keep all the locals happy, he
said he enjoys the new people
he meets which has included a
92 -year-old war vet, listening to
widowed wife's stories of how
theywere married for 60 some
onyears among others.
"This is a small town, I'm an
outsider, I don't know many
people yet, and I came here
with good intentions from a
good mento;' Zorlu stated.
OW N YOUR HOME SOONER WITH THE
BEST MORTGAGE
ON THE MARKET
44u/APR'
�
5 -YEAR FIXED.
Compare our closed 5 -Year Fixed Rate 'We've got your back'
Mortgage to the big banks' at meridiancu.ca/mortgages
Call 1-866-592-2226 and we'll have
a Mortgage Specialist come to you.
*2.44% APR assumes the typical example of a new mortgage with no costs of borrowing other than interest.'Best mortgage on the market is based on a direct comparison of Meridian's
featured closed 5 -Year Fixed Rate against the big banks' posted special rates online on their respective websites including their respective pre -payment privileges as of June 1, 2016.
Limited time offer. Big banks are defined as: Toronto Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada. Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Some
conditions apply. Rates are subject to change without notice. '"ffrademarks of Meridian Credit Union Limited. (07/2016)
Meridian