By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM – A Mediterranean-style eatery will soon open downtown filling an empty storefront on Market Street.

Plaice 2 Meat, 57 Market St., is aiming to cater to vegetarians as well as Halal and Kosher-based members of the community and students, according to owner Tarik Maatallah.

Maatallah said he has envisioned operating a restaurant for many years and that he “decided that now was a good time.”

“Potsdam’s business environment is booming,” he said. “I feel I can provide a niche for Mediterranean food.”

“I want to thank the people that reached out in support, both the general public and neighboring businesses,” Maatallah said. “The business is going to support local charities and donate toward medical research.”

They will offer their staple shawarma, which is the Turkish equivalent of a gyro, with chicken or beef or beef options.

Soups from different countries will be offered, as well as Moroccan ground beef sandwiches and some fish options including flounder.

Maatallah says the word “Plaice” means flat white fish, which lead to the creative name of the business.

Rounding out the menu will be made-to-order salads and rice and Greek potatoes which can be added to sandwiches to create a platter.

“All of the food will be cooked right in front of the customer,” he said.

Beverages will include a juice bar with many fruits and will be made from milk-based or fruit mixes.

Maatallah says he plans to buy local with his criteria of his ingredients being fresh.

Food will be served take-out style, but customers can eat it at the restaurant too. The seating capacity is expected to be around 40 once remodeling work is complete.

Maatallah says he completely remodeled his space, adding a wall, kitchen, office area, and new paint.

Maatallah and his wife moved to the North Country in 2004 to join a startup business in Brasher as part of their technical support team and has been in the area ever since.

Plaice 2 Meat will open near the end of February or early March, depending on how quickly things progress in the coming weeks, he said. Meetings will village officials were still taking place.

“Working with the village offices has been great…they have been very supportive,” he said.

Once open they will employ about a dozen people, likely four full-time. They will be open Monday through Friday. Hours through Thursday will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays.

“I will be closed on Sundays out of respect for the need for people to be with their families and for church,” he said.

He says this is first venture into owning a restaurant, but has experience working in the industry including having several family and friends who have similar businesses.

His wife, Badra Rouhi, will run the daily operations from a managerial position, drawing from he experience of managing multiple Dunkin Donuts operations in New Jersey.

“I want this to be a family and student-oriented space that offers a culturally rich culinary experience,” Maatallah said.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/plaice2meat/?fref=ts or call the restaurant at 265-0500. A website, plaice2meat.com will be up and running soon.