Working with stocks on the trading block floor doesn’t compare with the joy giving students a healthy dining alternative.

That’s the way Pete Lutz feels, as the owner of NIU’s newest dining establishment, Pita Pete’s, located at 901 Lucinda Ave., underneath Village Commons Bookstore.

Lutz, a resident of Glencoe, used to work with stocks on the floor of the Board of Trade in Chicago until, “It just wasn’t fun anymore,” he said.

Then, while visiting his son at the University of Syracuse in Syracuse, New York, Lutz saw a new career opportunity for himself. That opportunity came in the way of a small restaurant, which was popular with the students at Syracuse.

“I saw what they had to offer, and thought I could do it better,” Lutz said.

Lutz, whose love for restaurants came from his days in college when he worked at a few, then began his search for the perfect location for his restaurant. Northwestern University in Evanston was his first choice, but lack of space around the campus turned his eye to NIU.

Lutz is happy with his decision to come to NIU, saying he’s pleased with the opportunity to offer students a healthy alternative.

“Kids like to experiment,” Lutz said. “I offer a lot of different foods.”

Some of the unique items on the menu include grape leaves and hemp soda.

“It’s actually kind of tasty,” Lutz said of the soda. “It’s made from the type of hemp [that] rope is made out of … It will give you a buzz, but not the kind you think it will.”

Lutz believes his business has been good, mainly because of the fact that he attempts to accommodate all customers’ needs.

“We have lots of people looking for healthy food, we have a lot of things for vegetarians … we even try to accommodate vegans,” Lutz said.

Charles Turner, an employee of Pita Pete’s, said the food is great and healthy.

Turner’s response was echoed by junior FCNS major Gina Paulen, who said she likes Pita Pete’s because the food is very good and healthy, and it’s a very nice atmosphere.

Lutz’s believes the atmosphere is very important — that’s why he attempts to make his restaurant very student-friendly.

“The students here are very friendly,” Lutz said. “The walls here can be used by anyone who may want to post anything.”

Lutz also added that any student athlete bringing in a team schedule or team picture would receive a free pita.