Pawn Plaza gets underway with shop featuring Canadian delicacy

Ryan Smolkin credits Smoke, the middle-aged man wearing glasses as seen on the red T-shirt he’s wearing, as the visionary behind his restaurant, Smoke’s Poutinerie.

“He feeds me ideas late at night,” Smolkin said. “I have a special bond with him.”

There’s even a mention of Smoke on the company’s website, which reads, “not much is known about Smoke, except that he lives in a penthouse cabin made of Lego deep in the woods, far up North by the Quebec border.”

Whether Smoke is the genius behind Ontario-based Smoke’s Poutinerie or not, Smolkin and his team are seeking “global domination” as they serve up poutine, a Canadian delicacy consisting of french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds.

“We’ve opened 100 locations in the last five years, and people say we’ve exploded but we haven’t even lit the wick of the dynamite yet,” he said.

Smolkin is planning to open 1,300 locations in the next five years both nationally and internationally.

“We have the people, resources, product and proven results,” he said. “They’re eating it up in the U.S. so I know it will explode internationally.”

He and the Smoke’s Poutinerie team were in Las Vegas on Thursday at the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference at Caesars Palace seeking their next franchise partners.

Though Smoke’s Poutinerie’s booth was in the back of the room, it was hard to miss as ’80s rock music blared from the booth’s speakers.

“We live and breathe the brand and have fun doing it,” he said donning a shirt, backpack, hat and sneakers, all red plaid.

PAWN PLAZA GEARS UP

Smolkin and his team were also in town to check the progress of their first Las Vegas location, which also happens to be the company’s second U.S. store. The first U.S. store is in Berkeley, Calif.

Smoke’s Poutinerie is a confirmed tenant for Pawn Plaza, a retail destination behind Gold &Silver Pawn Shop, at 713 Las Vegas Blvd. South, home of the “Pawn Stars” reality TV show on the History channel.

Rick’s Rollin Smoke BBQ and Tavern and Rita’s Italian Ice are also tenants.

Rick Harrison, “Pawn Stars” star and Gold &Silver Pawn Shop owner, said he hopes the $4 million project will entice pawn shop visitors to eat and shop.

“Making money is my third or fourth favorite thing,” Harrison said, laughing. “I also had these old, dilapidated buildings behind the shop and we get 4,000 people at the shop daily.”

Harrison said Pawn Plaza will be 18 modular cubes housing retail shops and restaurants. While he doesn’t have any requirements for tenants, he wants stand-out brands.

“As long as they’re cool, neat and different,” he said. “I don’t want your standard fast food joint.”

Smoke’s Poutinerie won’t have any trouble standing out from the crowd as it’ll be serving up traditional poutine alongside specials such as pulled pork poutine, chicken fajita poutine and Philly cheesesteak poutine.

“I’m deeply excited about them being there,” Harrison said about Smoke’s Poutinerie. “The great thing about them is that they have a secret sauce that no one else has; they have lines out the door into the early morning hours. They’ve created a buzz that everyone hopes to have.”

Pawn Plaza is slated for a July opening, Harrison said. However, he added that construction delays are always possible.

“It’s construction so who knows what can happen,” he said. “I’m sure it will be filled by opening day … at least I’m hoping it will be.”

LOCALS TO OWN AND OPERATE

Las Vegas locals and husband-and-wife team Rob and Natalie Buckel, Jimmy John’s franchisees in Henderson, will own and operate the Pawn Plaza location of Smoke’s Poutinerie.

“Their culture is so exciting and they bring something unique to the table that you don’t often see from other franchises,” Natalie said. “I was raised here, so I’ve seen downtown get redeveloped and it’s fun to be a part of what they’re doing there.”

Smoke’s Poutinerie’s Pawn Plaza location will be 576 square feet with outside seating.

“Once you describe what poutine is, people say, ‘I’ve got to have that,’ which is fun to see,” Rob Buckel said.

Smolkin said the Buckels will also oversee future Nevada locations, which are already in the works.

“I’ve already met with them and there’s 100 percent, no question, that there will be more Vegas locations,” he said. “We’re already planning two and three before number one is open.”

Though he’s looking toward his company’s future in Vegas, Smolkin is excited to begin the journey with a partnership with the Pawn Stars cast.

“I’m stoked to be partnered up with Rick, the Old Man and the group,” he said. “It couldn’t be any better of a fit.”

Contact reporter Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @AnnFriedmanRJ on Twitter.