Few new business owners can get the kind of feedback that Stacey and Michael Stang get from their younger customers.

The Stangs recently opened Captain Jack Jr.'s Family Entertainment Center at 4176 Meridian St., across the street from Bellingham Athletic Club. The pirate-theme restaurant plans a grand opening celebration in early September.

In the first few weeks during its soft opening, business was steadily increasing, although it did slow down during fair week, Stacey Stang said. What's been great has been the reaction of the children, she said.

"We've had some kids running around saying 'This is the best day of my life,' which is great to hear," said Stang with a laugh.

While the entertainment center is geared toward kids, Stang said it's also a restaurant with offerings they hope adults will enjoy. The pizza is made with fresh ingredients, and the menu offers a variety of specialty lunch items, including meatball and chicken pesto sandwiches. The restaurant also offers a tea and coffee bar and free Wi-Fi.

"The food is what we want people coming back for," Stang said.

For the children, there's a play area that has pirate and sea creature statues to climb on, as well as an arcade.

Stacey Stang said she wanted to start this type of business because they wanted to have a place for children to hang out. She grew up with an amusement park background - her parents own Putt-N-Go Amusement Park in Bemidji, Minn.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and is available for special events. For details, call 360-746-8942 or visit captainjackjrs.com. The company also plans to offer discounts regularly on its Facebook page.

JIMMY'S VIETNAMESE SANDWICH SHOP TO HOLD GRAND OPENING

Jimmy Nguyen recently returned to the restaurant business by opening Jimmy's Vietnamese Sandwiches and Martinis.

The restaurant is next to Jimmy's Personal Care Salon at 1327 11th St., in Fairhaven, and is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Nguyen plans to hold grand opening celebration Saturday, Sept. 1, which a variety of door prizes.

Nguyen was the founder and operator of House of Orient in downtown Bellingham before selling it in 2007. That restaurant closed in 2011.

His new Vietnamese restaurant will have a French style to it, with sandwiches served on baguettes. The restaurant also will offer cold noodle bowls and Vietnamese desserts. Details: jimmyspersonalcare.com or 360-933-4268.

OTHER TIDBITS

Chambers Chevrolet Cadillac on Northwest Avenue has submitted a tenant improvement permit application to the city to do about $450,000 of remodeling work.

... A tenant improvement permit was filed to put in a fitness studio at 2210 Rimland Drive, in the Barkley district.

... Whatcom Educational Credit Union has filed a permit to demolish the former Shangri-La hotel to put in a parking lot.

... A permit was issued for a remodel of a space at 108 W. Stuart Road (in the retail center that has United Furniture) to put in a Big 5 Sporting Goods store.

... Apple Yarns, a Bellingham yarn and knitting supply store in Barkley Village shopping center is moving into a bigger space on Iowa Street in September. According to its Facebook page, the new space at 1780 Iowa St., in Iowa Business Center, will add about 800 square feet to the store's current size. The business plans to be in the new space Saturday, Sept. 1.

... New state liquor license applications were filed to serve beer or wine at Man Pies, 1311 Railroad Ave., and at Dashi Noodle Bar, which is going into 1311 N. State St.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269.