The Sunnyland Square shopping center is getting a new restaurant.

Owners Dave and Kim Savage celebrated the opening of the new Pita Pit on Aug. 22.

This will be the second Pita Pit in Whatcom County. The first is at 201 East Holly St. in Bellingham, on the corner of Railroad Avenue. The next closest one in the U.S. is in Oak Harbor.

While Pita Pit is popular in Canada, there are just 600 locations around the world, Dave Savage said.

“There’s lots of growth opportunity here,” he said.

Savage said he and his wife have been fans of Pita Pit before they became owners — they like that it is a healthy alternative to fast food. Customers choose their pita fillings, either meat or vegetarian protein options, and customize it with their choice of toppings and sauces. The menu also offers a number of vegan and vegetarian options. Savage expects it to be popular at its location, next to Trader Joe’s.

“We already have great customers,” he said. “The Trader Joe’s customers are already in the parking lot.”

Savage worked for Pepsi for 25 years, during which time he worked extensively with restaurants. For the last seven years, he’s been in the law enforcement. Five years ago, he and his wife moved to Whatcom County, where Dave started working as a natural resource enforcement office for the Lummi Nation Police Department.

Both of his children graduated from Western Washington University. His daughter Jennifer will be assistant manager.

“I’m not going to be an absentee owner,” he said. “This is going to be my only job.”

He wanted to open a franchise because he liked the idea of being his own boss, he said. He also wanted the opportunity to work with his daughter, and liked the idea of being a part of the community.

“That really appealed to me,”  he said.

The restaurant’s regular hours will be 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant will also offers delivery to business and residents within a mile of the location. The address is 2426 James St.