Christine Carrillo
After renting the very latest in new movie releases and ordering a
large pizza with your favorite toppings, you've discovered, to your
dismay, that there's something missing--ice cream.
Unfortunately, while your plan for movies, pizza and ice cream may
sound like a very laid-back way of spending an evening at home, you
have not yet thought about the amount of leg work this relaxing
evening would require.
You must make three separate trips and driving here and there just
seems tedious and yet, unavoidable.
Unless you're among those Costa Mesa residents who have found the
solution: Video Hill Pizza & Ice Cream.
Video Hill has responded to the public's cries for convenience by
providing a place where customers can get a movie, pizza and ice
cream, not to mention a satellite dish including installation.
"It's not my aim to make more money," said Sanjeev Kumar, store
owner. "My aim is to make the customers happy."
And apparently he has.
"I just moved to Costa Mesa from Fountain Valley a few weeks ago
and my friend kept raving about this place," said George Perez, a new
Video Hill customer. "I couldn't really understand what he was
talking about until I saw it and I think it's great."
By placing a unusual spin on familiar businesses, Kumar has
transformed his dream into a reality.
"I believe in karma--what you do good will come back to you good,"
he said. "And at the end of my day my target is always
completed--that's my dream."
A dream that, Kumar believes, isn't affected much by the larger
competing video rental and pizza businesses in the area.
"Neighborhood business is a little different," he said. "[My
customers] want more personalized service. I know them by name and
they know me by name."
By becoming more personally involved with his customers, Kumar has
found that they have become more understanding of him. An important
element of a family business.
Kumar, who has owned the business with his wife Reena for six
years, doesn't have any employees but receives help from his brothers
and nephews when he needs it.
Even though he's usually the only employee on the premises, Kumar
still believes that he provides the best service in the area.
Selling Dryers ice cream and using quality cheese in his personal
pizza recipe, he strives to provide quality to his customers and
believes he has.
Understanding his current limitations, like not having a pizza
delivery service, Kumar does plan on increasing the element of
convenience his store has become known for.
"They would like to pay their bills here too," Kumar said adding
that he has already started to look into it. "I care about the
customer and it will be more convenient for them."
The bottom-line, "It's very convenient," Reena said. "It's a
one-stop shop."
Video Hill is at 1125 Victoria St. #R in Costa Mesa.
