If you drive by Target very often, you might notice that Bob’s Burgers and Brew is getting closer to opening. Owner Jeff Roberts is hoping to open its doors by mid-November.

Roberts is now in the next step in the process — finding 112 experienced cooks and wait staff. The restaurant will continue its search with a three-day job fair at WorkSource Yakima, 306 Division St.

The fair will continue tonight until 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will also run from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. 

Roberts told me that 400 people applied for jobs within the first few hours of the event.

Given the current economic climate, that’s not too surprising.

Yakima County had 500 fewer food service jobs in September from a year ago, according to preliminary data from the state Employment Security Department.

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