Longtime Martin Elementary secretary Kim Greco retired from the New Kensington-Arnold School District and decided downtime wasn’t her style.

On a whim, albeit a researched one, Greco purchased the Zoup franchise in Fox Chapel Plaza, near The Waterworks.

“I always wanted to own my own business. I thought maybe an ice cream shop, but this came up and I went for it,” said Greco, who moved from New Kensington to Plum about three years ago.

In June, the O’Hara franchise transitioned to Z!Eats, broadening its menu to include flatbreads, salads and grain bowls.

“We prepare everything daily,” Greco said.

Sauces that include chipotle, maple aioli and barbecue are made in-house, with what Greco called a healthy edge.

On the menu is the Cali Chicken sandwich, topped with roasted red peppers, white cheddar, jalapeno ranch and mashed avocado, and there’s a Cranberry Sonoma salad with quinoa, candied walnuts, pickled onions and goat cheese.

Twelve soups are served piping hot daily with a rotating menu that often includes lobster bisque, a bestseller. Other varieties include chicken pot pie, el grande chili and broccoli cheddar.

There are kids meals, specialty mac and cheese and “pick-two’s” for people who can’t quite decide on one item.

She describes the vibe as “food with feeling: made from scratch to nourish the mind, body and spirit.”

This month, Greco added a fun feature to the dining options — a ghost kitchen that specializes in Asian street food.

Patrons can order on wowbao.com and pick up potstickers, bowls and bao — a fluffy steamed dough stuffed with pork or veggies.

“This is something you can’t get everywhere,” Greco said. “I thought it would be something different.”

Zoup!, now Z!Eats, was founded in 1997 when two spice merchants shared a passion for “soul-soothing soup” made from plant-forward ingredients.

Today, there are 59 locations across the country.

Nestled among a vibrant business district that includes the Freeport Road corridor and RIDC Park, Greco said the eatery is hopping at lunch time.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Owning a restaurant comes with a learning curve, Greco said, but the customers have been friendly while she works through her challenges.

Greco said she hopes to participate in community fundraisers and social events. She is seeking organizations that might benefit from a soup donation or other help addressing neighborhood needs.

“I don’t want to be just about the food,” she said. “We want to be part of the community. We try to be an inviting place, and most people have returned that kindness.”

With no restaurant experience other than a brief stint as a teen waitress at Denny’s on Tarentum Bridge Road, Greco said she is giving Z!Eats her all.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t take a chance,” she said. “I’d rather try and fail than never try at all.”

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