Pickerington: New owner seeks to build on tradition of Grapevine Pizza
Grapevine Pizza's new owner doesn't want to reinvent the business that's served the Violet Township community for a quarter century but plans to upgrade it using the knowledge he's picked up while working in the food service industry.
Over 25 years, Grapevine Pizza became a mainstay in the Pickerington area primarily by providing pizza and subs that were consistent in quality and taste.
Those efforts enabled former owners Randy and Bonnie Ganz to grow the business from a small carryout in the Chevington Center to a storefront with an 1,800-square-foot dining room and bar they opened in 2006 a few doors down at 8581 Refugee Road.
The Ganzes sold the business, however, after struggling to return to full staffing and wrestling with adjustments forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That provided an opportunity for Joshua Hasty, who began work in the food industry as a dishwasher at the age of 15 in his native Horseheads, New York, and who went on to get a degree from the Culinary Institute of America.
Hasty, now 39, moved to Pickerington two years ago for a job with Gordon Food Service, and Grapevine Pizza was one of his customers. He jumped at the chance to buy the business and became the owner June 13.
"Opening my own place has always been a passion of mine," Hasty said. "I've done everything, from fine dining to working at small mom-and-pop's and McDonald's."
Hasty said he loved working as teenager alongside his brother, Charlie, at Pizza Pick Up, a family-owned shop in Horseheads. So, owning Grapevine Pizza is a dream come true.
"(At Pick Up Pizza) I was doing everything from making pizza, subs and wings to delivering pizzas," Hasty said. "I just liked the fast pace and the atmosphere. I always told myself that if I ever had the opportunity, pizza would be my first choice business because there's a lot of flexibility in pizza. Everyone loves pizza.
"Pizza is a passion of mine and to have the bar on top of that is a bonus. I wanted something well known in the community that had a lot of roots and a lot of regulars so we could hit the ground running."
While serving the Pickerington-Violet Township community and becoming a destination place for the region are goals for Hasty, he has made it a priority to stay true to Grapevine Pizza's core, repeat customers.
While he's kept the thin crust and sauce customers are acquainted with, Hasty said he's only tweaked the menu. Changes have included upgraded toppings and kitchen equipment to enhance tastes and serve patrons quicker.
"You don't want to alienate the customers who have been here 25 years by changing things up," Hasty said. "We've added a true Philly cheesesteak to the menu. It used to be like a meat patty.
"We are doing a chicken wing sub that has fresh chicken tenders that are cut down into pieces, and we're also using those for our new boneless wings. We also switched to a fresh jumbo wing. They were using a pre-cooked product, and it just wasn't as flavorful."
He's also rolled out new-look menus and introduced a website at grapevinepizzacafe.com that allows for online ordering.
Additionally, Grapevine now offers delivery Monday through Thursday, with an eye on expanding to weekend deliveries once more staff is added.
According to several regulars, the additions all have been positive, but they also appreciate that Hasty has maintained the business as the friendly, neighborhood joint it was under the Ganzes.
"We like going there because there's never been any trouble there," said Ed Ryan, who's patronized Grapevine Pizza with his wife, Sue, since it opened as a carryout. "It's a good place to go to have a good time and enjoy some food and, perhaps, a drink.
"It's become like 'Cheers.' You go because you know so many people and everybody knows your name."
The Ryans said they're glad Hasty has maintained some of the longtime staff at Grapevine, and they've been pleased evening hours have been extended to 11 p.m. each night except for Tuesday and Wednesday, when it closes at 10 p.m.
They also appreciate subtle upgrades, like the addition of napkin holders at the bar and on tables, the new-look menu and the new wings.
"The wings are really good," Ed Ryan said. "I think that's a definite upgrade."
"They taste really fresh," Sue Ryan added. "(Hasty) has got the energy to make good changes and keep it going. We thank Bonnie and Randy for finding Josh."
Another regular of more than 20 years, Jeff Gamber, said he loves Grapevine Pizza because it's been like another home to him after he served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"The establishment is my favorite place for pizza in Pickerington," Gamber said. "Many regulars that are local to the area consistently make it to Grapevine multiple times a week.
"It is my go-to place to watch college football, NFL games and the Blue Jackets. The bartenders are superb. They are engaging and personable."
Gamber said he was glad Hasty didn't make significant changes to the menu, but he added that he likes the enhanced items with better ingredients, as well as the overall comfort of the dining room and bar.
"New air-conditioning units have been installed so the climate now is perfect," Gamber said. "During very hot days in the past, it became uncomfortable because of the heat in the kitchen and the temperature in the dining area.
"The new owner is thinking about his customers and is also very approachable and super friendly."
Similarly, Violet Township resident Bill Harvey said he's been a patron for a decade, and it's become more than just a restaurant to him.
"Bonnie and Randy promoted a good atmosphere where people felt comfortable and the beer was always cold," Harvey said. "A lot of good friendships have been made there. I love the energy that Josh has brought, and I love what he's doing. He gets out and talks to the customers.
"He not only talks, he listens. I think he wants to maintain that family atmosphere and keep people coming back. He's part of the community. He's one of us."
Hasty said he plans to continue to stay true to Grapevine Pizza's roots, while looking for ways to enhance the business and the experience for customers.
He brought back the NFL Sunday Ticket package that allows him to show all NFL games, and he may add a family movie night.
Wings are $1 on Tuesday nights and during on Saturdays and Sundays when football games are being shown, and there are 10 wing sauces to choose from.
In the future, Hasty is considering the addition of up to four more beers on tap, as well as a second outdoor patio.
"We're just trying to get it back to where we would like it to be," he said. "We want it to be that staple in the community where we're busy four or five days a week and we're doing deliveries.
"It's a good pizza. It's consistent and very well executed, and now we're just putting our own personal touches on things to elevate that even more."
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Pickerington: New owner seeks to build on tradition of Grapevine Pizza
