Saigon Palace opens in Auburn; Thrift Books sells 10 millionth book
Published 6:39 pm Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Paul Cruz was building a promising future as an mortgage underwriter for a regional bank.
Then came the Great Recession.
Four layoffs in 1 1/2 years proved too frustrating for the University of Washington biochemistry major and Guam native.
So Cruz decided to change his craft and go into business for himself, recently opening up a spacious restaurant on Lea Hill. Cruz’s Saigon Palace specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine, featuring a vast menu that includes a favorite dish – traditional-style egg rolls served with romaine lettuce, vermicelli noodles and bean sprouts.
Despite the long hours, Cruz is hopeful his spot will emerge in the growing Lea Hill community.
“It’s always been my goal to own a business, to do things for myself. I’m glad I did it,” Cruz said. “I don’t have any regrets. There’s a lot of sleepless nights, and a lot of time spent away from family.”
The reviews have been good. Cruz’s palace has been lauded for a great atmosphere, friendly staff, good service and food.
Elsewhere
• Brad Brooks and Corey Hadley, longtime business partners, are the new owners of B.B. Magraws Restaurant and Sports Bar, located at 440 16th St. NE.
Both briefly managed a couple of restaurants 10 years ago before opening their own roofing contracting business in the Southeast. They plan to maintain their successful roofing business from afar and take turns commuting to Auburn to oversee operations at B.B.’s.
Brooks is from Nashville, Tenn., Hadley from Indiana. They plan to make some changes to the menu, tweak the interior and build the entertainment lineup. They have added a cook and retained a full staff of 30.
“We’re excited about the challenge of making this place the way it used to be,” Brooks said.
• Safeco Insurance named Auburn’s HBT Insurance to its H.K. Dent Society, the company’s elite agency recognition program.
The H.K. Dent Society, named for the company’s founder, was designed to recognize and reward agents for their partnership, performance and loyalty to Safeco. The group represents Safeco’s best agents and partners. In 2010, fewer than 8 percent of Safeco agents will qualify for the honor.
“Our agency has worked hard to serve our customers and community,” said William Cowart, agency principal. “It’s an honor to be recognized by Safeco as being one of its top agent partners.”
• Thrift Books, an Auburn-based company that sells affordable used books on the Internet, recently sold its 10 millionth book online, PRWeb reported.
“It’s a very exciting milestone for us,” said Hector Rivas, CEO of Thrift Books LLC. “We really love what we’re doing, and we are so pleased that we can share our passion with others.”
Thrift Books sold its first book, “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, in 2003, and has since become the largest online seller of used books. Now boasting an inventory of almost five million books at any given time, Thrift Books processes an average 80,000 books a day.
“We’ve come a long way from our days in a small storage unit,” Rivas said. “Today we operate in six states and employ close to 250 people.”
=====
We’re open
• Business: Saigon Palace
• Location: 12722 SE 312th St., Suite E, Auburn
• Specializing: Pho and Vietnamese cuisine, from sandwiches to traditional-style egg rolls served with romaine lettuce; 32 boba tea flavors; custard- and chocolate-filled cream puffs.
• Also: Full-service bar, catering
• Hours: 10 a.m.-midnight, Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
• Phone: 253-737-4762
=====
• Business: B.B. Magraws Restaurant and Sports Bar.
• Location: 440 16th St. NE., Auburn
• Specializing: Appetizers, burgers, scratch soups, steak, pasta, salads.
• Also: Full-service bar; more than 50 HD viewing screens; Wednesday night karaoke and beer pong; hot country Friday nights with a DJ; live music Saturday nights (Sammy Steele on May 15, “Just Dirt” band on May 22.
• Hours of operation, information: www.mybbmagraws.com, www.myspace.com/bbmagraws
