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i uesav Novembor 30,1999u i I~Ki*t~ w g~~9 ~fr%~ I Anders' simple philosophy making snacks big business Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Scooters Snack Shack, run by Scott Anders and staffed by teens like Darren Yorke (behlnd counter) offers amazlng selection ta local hockey fans. INVESTORS GROUP FINANCIAL SERVICES INC I G INSURANCE SERVICES INC* 69 Main St. E., Suite #3 L ~Milton, ON 197 1 N4 Jim Gordon Teisphone (905) 875-1771 B.A. F.I.C.B. Fax <905) 875-1989 Accoijst Executive E-mail gordaj2@investorsgroup.com ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK? FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR A UFETIME!!! No Yes DO YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX PLANNING STRATEGIES? ARE YOU FACED WITH DEMUTUALIZATION DECISIONS REGARDING YOUR LIFE INSURANCE? DO YOU HAVE INCOMIE PROTECTION FOR YOUR FAMILY? ARE YOU IN CONTROL 0F DEBT MANAGEMIENT? TOTAL - NoiYcs IF YOU HÀVEANSWERED 'NO' Wl OR MORE QUESTIONS CALLJ(I flViT.VfD VL'D A 5'MIAMII PiAAÀI flAIÇJÏITATION -R7-.71 TUNE UP and 4 cyI 6@4 6 cvI$ 49 By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion These days it's flot just hockey teams delighting the crowd at Milton Memorial Arena. Scooter's Snack Shack - which offers enough selection to rival any convenience store - has been acoring rave reviews as well as a whole lot of business from fans since it opened late last year. 0f course the local rink had a concession stand before that, but in its current operator's opinion it was "the same old thing you see at moat arenas -- watered down coffee and four or five chocolate bars to choose from. "I wanted to malte this the beat snack bar Milton had ever seen," said Scott Anders, who two aum- mers ago submitted a bid and was given the nod by municipal staff to mun the snack bars at both Milton Memorial Arena and John Tonelli Sports Centre. At the time, the 30-year-old was simply looking for winter work for his young Dickie Dee staff - many of whom he would lose front summer to summer without year- round employment. Inside a few montha, Mr. Anders not only had a place for his teens to work but a thriving business and an identity amid the local sports scene. That's because the soft-spoken entrepreneur attacked his new yen- ture with one simple philosophy in mind - give customers what they want. Said Mr. Anders, "It's really juat a matter of trial and error. I bring in different items and if peo- pIe want it, they buy it. I had to pull teeth to get suppliera st year but now they're coming to me." More than 300 items can now be found behind the local couniter. In addition to pizza, hamburgers, soft drinks and candy there's also a lot of foods most people wouldn't expect at an arena's concession stand - like cappuccino, home- made cookies and hot soup. "Having hot soup in a cold place juat makes sense," said the Miltonian, who over the years has been a minor hockey coach as well as a Big Brother. Mr. Anders admitted he has trou- ble keeping up with demand at times, especially at Friday night Merchant games when he usually selîs countless pizza suices before the action even gela underway. Once it doea, a number of foods compee for fans' cravîngs - but popcom almost always comes out on top. During a typical Merchant game, Mr. Anders and his young staff unload about 50 big bags of popcomn - which translates into about 100 normal aize ones. "Murray Townsend once wrote in his (Champion) column that it was the second beat popcomn next to the one in Markham. I went down there last year to find out why mine isn't first," quipped Anders. 1I invite Murray to corne down and try it again. I think he'll change his mind." That kind of Iight-hearted com- ment is typical of those heard around the snack bar these days. Merchant executives have taken to inquiring about reservations for his popular establishment while others have suggested a namne change, to Scooter's Fine Dining. Although Mr. Anders gela a kick out of these remarks, he doesn't take ail the credit himself. Capable staff - he said - have helped cut down on lengthy lineups, which in tum keep fans comning back. "The key is patience and train- ing. You've got to teach thèse kids how to handie money and keep the line moving." To further increase customer convenience, he set up snack tables at the base of the stands during the Merchants' playoff mun last spring - and even had vendors in the stands a couple of times. Ail his efforts have certainly paid off at the cash register - so much s0 that, with a few other side inter- esta like the arena's skate sharpen- ing business and mobile food sales, he's been able to quit his job with a telephone company. 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