Kosher Concessionaire Looking To Expand Despite Drawbacks

Concessionaire Jeffrey Striks, who started offering kosher food at concession stands at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium seven years ago, “has expanded his company, Strikly Kosher, and now operates kosher stands at” Giants Stadium, Continental Airlines Arena, Nassau Coliseum and Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the Single-A N.Y.-Penn League Staten Island Yankees, according to the AP’s Janet Frankston Lorin. Striks also “plans to move outside the New York area,” and a competitor, Kosher Sports, has already entered stadiums in Philadelphia, Baltimore and DC. While his core market is observant Jews, Striks is “also attracting customers who aren’t Jewish” to buy his knishes, chicken nuggets and “knockwurst” — a “chicken product designed to look like a hot dog.” However, running a glatt kosher concession stand “means not being open on Shabbat — Friday nights and Saturdays — two of the busiest days in sports, and holidays including eight days over Passover and three high holidays.” Striks said that during baseball season, “that translates into sales for only 50 of 80 home games” (AP, 11/27).