by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
They may not have Jacksonville’s largest menu, but Confetti’s in the BellSouth Tower takes pride in efficiency and customer service.
Abe Salem, owner of Confetti’s, believes the restaurant’s consistent approach to serving its customers is the reason they come back.
“We are friendly and clean and our food is good, because if the food isn’t good the rest doesn’t matter,” he said. “We serve our customers as friendly and as fast as we possibly can.”
Salem has been at this location for about four years. Since he graduated from the University of Florida in the late 80s, he has owned many restaurants, most of them in the Southpoint area.
Salem knew the previous owner of this spot and he asked Salem if he would be interested in opening his own restaurant there.
“They had been here for 18 years and were ready to call it quits,” he said.
At that time Salem still owned a few restaurants in Southpoint and soon found out it was too much to keep all of them going. About a year after opening Confetti’s, Salem decided to focus on his new restaurant Downtown.
“Historically it has been a place for a donut or a muffin and coffee,” he said. “We recently added sandwiches, salads and wraps to the menu.”
Confetti’s menu has grown along with Downtown since it opened. Salem said his menu isn’t the largest, but some things Confetti’s is known for are their homemade chicken salad and fresh ground coffee. Taking his experience with his past restaurants, Salem added that he only serves the best deli meats — Boar’s Head.
“I have always used Boar’s Head,” he said. “Having quality helps.”
But it isn’t just the quality of food, it is his employee’s efficiency and customer service that keeps his customers coming back.
“We try and maintain a family environment,” said Salem. “We have the best crew that we’ve had. Everyone’s personalities help their performance.”
When customers come through the door, they are greeted by a group of employees behind the counter helping each other to serve the customer the fastest and most efficient way they can. One person takes the order, while another is standing by listening to the drink order. While the customer stands in line, their food is being prepared and it is just about done before the customer pays their bill.
“We are blessed to have a good system, and I’d like to keep it that way,” said Salem. “We keep it flowing as fast as we can.
“It is important to have a consistent flow to alleviate stress on our customers and us.”
Salem always knew he wanted to be self-employeed and while he was in college he did a case study on a restaurant in Gainesville called Joe’s Deli.
“I saw his (the owner’s) way of life and my father was self-employed,” he said. “It gave me the little bug.”
Salem said he isn’t planning on opening a larger restaurant in the future and he likes where he is at now.
“I have had large places before,” he said. “The people here are great, the hours and quality of life is great.”
Confetti’s hours are 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed Saturdays and Sundays.