New restaurant/arcade coming to Queen Street (2 photos)

Sault businessman Das Kumar has big plans for a currently vacant downtown space at 345 Queen Street East.

Many of us will remember the space as the home of the old Woolco store, while younger ones will remember it as the former home of NCO.

Kumar told SooToday he hopes to convert the space into a restaurant, bar and arcade games site known as Soo Blaster.

“We want people to have a blast,” Kumar said enthusiastically.

“It’ll be fun for everybody, there’s going to be great food and a bar, arcade gaming and also pool tables and mini bowling, all kinds of gaming,” Kumar said.

The menu will include steak, pasta, burgers and wings.

A Soo Blaster job fair will be hosted by Employment Solutions and Sault Community Career Centre from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday June 28 at Days Inn & Suites, located at 332 Bay Street.

Kumar said he wants to hire between 50 and 60 full time and part time staff members to work as food and bar servers, supervisors, managers, kitchen cooks and cleaners (because of Ontario liquor laws, applicants must be 19 or older).

Kumar said he hopes to open Soo Blaster near the end of July.

The businessman said its important to have a downtown attraction for everyone, especially Sault youth and students from Algoma University and Sault College.