Published: November 10, 2008 09:35 pm      

BUSINESS: Lock City: Gourmet World headquarters

A new Internet-based business is up and running in Harrison Place.

Gourmet World Inc./GiftsWish.com has been processing orders for high-end gourmet foods and gourmet gift baskets inside the old Harrison Radiator factory since September. On Monday, owner Bhaskar Bhowmick threw open his doors to let the public see how it’s working out.

“We’re a small company today, but everything starts out small,” Bhowmick said. “Someday, we’ll be a sizable employer in the town.”

Bhowmick’s business is the packaging and sale of high-end confections to distributors, corporations and individuals. Gourmet World takes in Belgian and Italian chocolates, dried fruits and nuts, plain and chocolate-covered; repackages them and ships Web-placed orders nationwide. GiftsWish.com assembles themed gift baskets containing confections, teas, coffees, gourmet baked goods, “his,” “her” and Kosher gifts.

Gourmet World employs from three to eight people currently, depending on product demand, and Bhowmick has projected employment of up to 35 as the company grows. It’s labor-intensive, depending on people rather than machines, to package goods, assemble baskets and manage inventory and shipping. Adecco employment service is supplying laborers at the outset.

Sales mainly are to distributors and corporations that buy up novelties as gifts to clients and employees. Gourmet World is aiming to get a foot in the gift-giving market by pitching its baskets as affordable luxuries made in the USA.

“Even in the state the economy is in, corporations will still spend money on promotions. We ask them to think how they spend and on what,” Bhowmick said. “When corporations buy gifts for associates, the money goes to China. Buy one of our baskets and the money stays here. The jobs are here.”

Bhowmick moved Gourmet World to the United States from Canada because U.S. markets offer him more sales opportunities, he said. Upon his decision to relocate he contacted Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, which he said put him in touch with Harrison Place’s owner, Greater Lockport Development Corp.

Harrison Place turned out to be the ideal place for Gourmet World to establish U.S. headquarters, Bhowmick said.

“The outside looks a bit dilapidated but inside it’s very clean. The loading dock is perfect; we have space to grow; and the city was very helpful,” he said. “I was not aware of Lockport initially, but I came here and got a very good reception.”

Gourmet World is exactly the sort of tenant that Harrison Place wants to land, according to property manager Tom Mancuso.

“It’s bringing new investment, new jobs and people moving in from elsewhere,” he said. “Most people get excited about the ‘big’ calls — tenants with massive space needs or hundreds of jobs — but I want my team to be excited about the ‘small’ calls. Add them all up and you get good numbers.”

David Desmarais, director of membership and development for Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce, said Gourmet World’s opening here is worth noting because it’s another instance of development despite national economic downturn.

Added to a Ohio-based manufacturer’s decision to restart silicon production in Niagara Falls next year, and new construction at Niagara Falls International Airport, he said, “The story in Niagara County is pretty positive. ... (Gourmet World) has the potential to be a global company.”

While its jobs are not high-end, Desmarais added, “they’re jobs. Something is better than nothing.”

Gourmet World is one of a handful of new tenants landed by Mancuso Business Development Group since GLDC hired it to manage Harrison Place, a vastly underutilized four-building complex, in July 2007. The going has been slow because repair work had to be done around the buildings before they could be advertised open for business, Mancuso said.

Full-scale marketing is getting under way now for Buildings 1 and 2, where Gourmet World is sited, because roof and elevator repairs and utility improvements finally are done, Mancuso said. The city earlier this year obtained a $1.5 million Restore New York grant that’s paying for the work.

Roof repair is beginning on Building 3, and a new Web site, www.harrisonplace4biz.com, has gone up to get the first two buildings occupied and making money to invest in additional site improvements, Mancuso said.

Also, Kevin Van Dusen, former assessor for the Town of Lockport, has been hired as Harrison Place’s local site coordinator. It’s now his job, from day to day, to coordinate activities of contractors and tenants and show available space.

Contact reporter Joyce Miles at 439-9222, ext. 6245.