Nearby: Former Accountant Opens North Hills Grill & Smoothie Bar

A little more than a year ago, Jay Boyle decided that 20 years as an accountant was enough.

"I got tired of sitting behind a desk," he said. "I needed a change and wanted to get into small businesses."

His first small business was the East End Cafe in Point Breeze, a deli and catering service that continues to thrive.

In December, he opened North Hills Grill, located at 96 Rochester Road, less than a half mile from the entrance to North Hills High School.

Its menu includes specialty sandwiches, salads, home-made sides and soups, wraps, burgers, sandwiches and signature smoothies.

"My goal was to try and offer healthier items but I know to survive you need fries and burgers," he said. "I'm trying to offer something that's a little bit healthier while recognizing that people aren't going to eat salads everyday."

So why the food business for a former accountant? Boyle admits he knows little about food preparation. 

"I'm learning. I learned a lot in the last 10 months," he said.  "I've hired three experienced chefs for the two businesses, so I'm surrounding myself with the food people and I'm trying to do the business end, the accounting, the advertising, all that kind of stuff."

After living in the North Hills area for the last nine years, Boyle thinks he's found a location attractive to people who aren't fond of the hustle and bustle of McKnight Road.

"I figured people don't always want to deal with the McKnight Road traffic, so they can come here for a for an affordable, healthy, casual meal," he said. 

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