The most popular business question I’ve been asked in recent weeks is when will Kenzeroni’s Pizza open at Plaza Shopping Center?
The answer is not this week, but Kenzeroni’s is set to open the following week, which is the week of Oct. 27. Owners Jeff and Rebecca Acre say they are taking plenty of time because they want everything to be perfect for opening day.
“The idea isn’t to have people eat here once,” said Jeff. “We want them to eat here again and again.”
When I stopped by Friday afternoon, Jeff, Rebecca and some of their family members were busy sampling pizzas. Yes, it’s a tough job but somebody has to do it. Jeff says he has experimented with three different cheeses, 12 different doughs, and countless varieties of tomato sauce.
“We want to have a pizza people really enjoy eating,” said Jeff.
He gave me a couple slices from one of the test pizzas and I can say they were very tasty. I would go with the version I tried.
One unique thing about Kenzeroni’s is it will cater to the lunch crowd. Two slices of cheese pizza and a drink will be available for $4.50, and two slices of pepperoni pizza and a drink will be $4.75.
“People don’t usually associate pizza with lunch because no one wants to mess with a whole pizza,” said Rebecca. “And there aren’t any places except for convenience stores that sell it by the slice.”
Other neat aspects of Kenzeroni’s are its 17-inch large pizza. Jeff said other local restaurants offer 14-inch large pizzas.
“Our large pizzas are 47 percent larger at pretty much the same price,” said Jeff. “And our sheet pizza is more than three times the size of a large pizza from any other place with a 14-inch large.”
The sheet pizza is enough to feed a ball team and is great for parties, large families, or a couple people with really big appetites.
Kenzeroni’s is located at the longtime Gondola spot on the corner. Jeff and Rebecca have done a great deal of remodeling work and are proud to report a 99 on their health department score. “The only deduction was for a cold-water drip,” said Jeff.
Pizzas can be loaded with meat and veggies and there are other menu items too, such as chicken tenders, wings, cheese sticks and subs. There will also be an all-you-can-eat salad bar.
Jeff says opening a pizza restaurant fulfills a longtime dream.
“When I was a kid, I used to love going to the pizza parlor down the street,” said Jeff. “I always told the owner, who was a real friendly guy, that one day I was going to work there. I kept telling him that over the years and when I filled out my application he hired me. I worked at that restaurant, and another pizzeria after that, and I’m applying the knowledge I learned from those jobs to this restaurant.”
I admire all the work Jeff has done and I can’t help but root for Kenzeroni’s to be a success.
“I figured it was time to stop being scared to do it and go ahead and give it a try,” said Jeff. “Otherwise I would have spent the rest of my life wondering what if.”
Keneroni’s will offer pick-up, delivery or dine in. The restaurant can be reached at 507-4992, which is also 50-PIZZA.
New therapist ready to listen
Licensed clinical social worker Charity Parker-Lynch has opened an office on N. Spring Street and is now available for personal or family sessions.
Charity has a wealth of experience in working with children, adults, and senior citizens. She most recently worked at Stones River Hospital in Woodbury before opening her own business.
“I work with people who are going through difficult transitions in their life that are creating discomfort and they need someone out of their own environment to talk to,” said Charity. “By the time people call me, they realize something needs to change in their life. If they come in here, they are already aware of the problem and they want to change it. I try to help them navigate through their problems and make different choices.”
Charity says she is currently working with about a dozen clients and she is looking to grow her business. The talk therapy sessions typically last about an hour and Charity says she does accept insurance.
“It’s tough for people to take the initial step and come in here for the first time. I know there is some apprehension,” said Charity. “But I’m not going to be sitting here quoting Freud. I’m looking at finding out what’s going on across the board and helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together. It’s about building self-esteem and coping skills and shaking things up. Sometimes it just takes someone who thinks about things a little differently.”
Charity said talking to someone who is not a family member is often helpful because they are removed from the situation and likely have somewhat different values. A daughter talking to her mother, for example, is probably talking to someone with the same view on life since the mother raised the daughter.
Charity received her bachelor’s degree from MTSU and her master’s degree from UT. She’s been licensed since 2013. She has two boys, ages 8 and 6, who attend Boyd Christian.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment, Charity can be reached at (615) 618-3551.
IDB prepares for new member
Turnover on the Industrial Development Board is rare, but the board is about to get a new member with the resignation of Greg Brock. County Executive Herschel Wells has nominated Gary Judkins to fill the position. He will be appointed if the full Warren County Commission gives its approval this Monday night.
Judkins was a longtime employee at Carrier, who will really be an asset to the IDB, according to Wells.
“Back when Carrier was going well, Gary and Joe Eaton were the two main supervisors there,” said Wells. “He has a vast knowledge of industry and how it works. He’ll be a good board member. And he’s semi-retired so he’ll be able to make the meetings. Attendance won’t be a problem.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the IDB, it’s a 10-member board with five members appointed by the county and five appointed by the city. While both governing bodies provide IDB funding, the majority of money comes from the county.
The five IDB representatives appointed by the city are Herschell Wells Jr., Tommy Foster, Sandra Haynes, Glen Moore, and Mark Brown.
The five IDB representatives appointed by the county are Jeff Golden, Joe Hamby, Greg Brock, Joe Pugh, and Levoy Knowles.
The IDB has the authority to take out loans, usually with the help of a utility like TVA or Caney Fork, and use those loans to attract industry to this area. For example, the IDB is borrowing $1.2 million on the massive DN Plastics building on Manchester Highway in Morrison. That money is not a gift to DN Plastics. It will be repaid over a loan period, say 20 years.
More on the IDB
During the Industrial Development Board’s monthly meeting on Thursday, members discussed attendance, or rather the lack of attendance, by at least one member of the board.
Attendance is crucial because at least six members have to be present to form a quorum and conduct business. When votes are conducted, there are some matters which require a majority vote of six no matter how many board members are in attendance. Other votes just require a majority of those present.
Without being too confusing, it’s important for IDB members to attend meetings so normal business can take place. While IDB members didn’t single anyone out by name, records show IDB member Mark Brown has missed all 10 monthly IDB meetings this year. The last IDB meeting Brown attended was Dec. 16, 2013.
IDB attorney George Burke said there is nothing the IDB can do about this.
“Board policy on absenteeism is the board takes no action on its members,” said Burke. “Action has to come from the body which appoints them.”
Added board member Tommy Foster, “The ones who put them on are the only ones who can take them off.”
The board talked about writing a letter to city and county officials emphasizing the importance of meeting attendance and ended the discussion at that. McMinnville Mayor Jimmy Haley was in attendance so he is aware of the situation.
From my viewpoint, I know Mark Brown has done a great deal of work for the IDB in the past and that work is appreciated. But if he is no longer interested in attending meetings, he should give someone else in the community a chance to serve.
A trip back to 1923
I'm sure many of you are excited about the 140th anniversary celebration of First National Bank, which is taking place this Thursday with a ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. The celebration is publicized on the front page of today's edition, but I thought you might like to see a few old pictures of the bank from 1923, which I've included above.
Cordell joins Edward Jones
Financial advisor Leann Cordell has joined the staff of Edward Jones and will be working out of the office at 124 E. Main Street. She has 12 years experience working in investment services, including the past six years at First National Bank.
Leann sells stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities and life insurance.
“Diversification and long-term planning are key,” said Leann. “You definitely don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket.”
While the stock market pretty much moved in one direction in 2013 – that direction being up – 2014 has been a different year for investors. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 have endured wild swings, soaring one day and plummeting the next.
“Ups and downs are to be expected,” said Leann. “You can look at it as buying opportunities.”
Leann says the plan is for her to assume the role of longtime Edward Jones advisor Dave Wideman, who has been moving toward retirement for years. Leann says Dave’s clients will be shifted to her Nov. 3, although he is scheduled to stay on board in an advisory capacity for two more years.
The Edward Jones office can be reached at 473-9615.
That’s all folks
To report glorious business news, give me a call at 473-2191. If you don’t want to hear the sound of my voice, you can report business news via email at editor@southernstandard.com.
