Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 04/02) - When asked to describe SubZero's first year of business using three words, co-owner Nic D'Alessandro says it's been "busy, busy, busy."

D'Alessandro left Hamilton, Ont., six years ago to find adventure in Iqaluit.

After a long career at the city's legion, he took the plunge and went into business with two partners.

Specializing in submarine sandwiches when they first opened last September, the owners of the small eatery recently added pizza to their menu when a second sub shop opened in the capital.

"That was direct competition. There wasn't a drop in overall sales because we augmented our menu with pizza," said 28-year-old D'Alessandro. "At first there was a drop in sub sales, but it's back up to where it used to be now," he said.

The trio is now in the process of adding donairs to their yummy food fare and are planning a grand opening celebration to take place this month. The event will give the owners a chance to thank their customers and show off their newly renovated dining room.

The next year will be spent growing into the new space and the new menu.

"It's a new business all over again. We have to get a grasp on that and see how year two goes," he said.