Lulu's Burgers changes hands

Hans Bavary opened LuLu's Burgers seven years ago in Commerce and is now passing the business on to his good friend Sarj Agha.

Agha recently moved back to Commerce from Paris. He graduated from A&M-Commerce in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in business administration and a minor in marketing. For the past 12 years, Agha has helped run his family's multiple businesses, including many convenient stores.

"I was a student here from 2005 to 2007," Agha said. "I use to come to LuLu's and I have always felt this place would one day be mine."

Hans built the burger joint, located at 803 Culver Street, just east of Brookshire's, from the ground up. He named the place after his niece, LuLu Sakhleh, who also was part owner and operator for the majority of the time.

"I let Hans know I was interested in the business," Agha said. "I want to keep the same LuLu's business."

Before now, LuLu's has been a family-owned business. Hans also owned and operated a restaurant in downtown Commerce eight years ago, Pavorotti's,

"One thing Hans told me is, ‘You need to be very involved with the city of Commerce, its people and students as a business owner,'" Agha said. "He told me to take care of all the customers and treat everyone equal."

Agha aspires to follow Hans' business model.

"(I want to be) involved with the schools and students, and offer the same great service that Hans has for the last seven years," Agha said.

The 25-year-old new owner is also eager to make improvements as needed and develop new attractions.

"In the future, we are going to be adding things targeted toward the typical college student," Agha said.

Lunchtime is the busiest time of the day for the restaurant. College students make their way over with groups of friends quite frequently. LuLu's also has a big screen television on which sports are often showcased.

A&M-Commerce junior Chris Thompson said he enjoys LuLu's.

"It has a small-town, home cooked meal feeling to it and they have the best burgers in town," he said.

So far, Agha said they have already improved the Classic LuLu's Burger, making it an even "bigger and better tasting burger."

Agha said LuLu's emphasizes customer appreciation.

"We appreciate our customers," Agha said. "They have basically made this business. We hope to keep making LuLu's a pleasant experience for everyone."

Senior Myranda Bille said she appreciates LuLu's exceptional customer service.

"I love LuLu's because all of the workers are so friendly and considerate," she said. "I go about once every two weeks and always get the same thing, which is the buffalo chicken strips."

Agha said he enjoys LuLu's for many of the same reasons that its repeat customers do.

"I love the food and service here at LuLu's," Agha said. "I love the atmosphere, and from a business perspective, it is always busy here. It feels great to call it mine. I feel accomplished. This is the first of many good things to come."