Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Rogerson.
Jackie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was managing a McDonalds up in Laconia NH in 1987 when my Dad and brother in law decided to open a pizza shop. My brother in law had many years of experience but my Dad had none. He asked me if I would be interested in being his silent representative of Pizza Plus.
I agreed and left McDonalds and NH and moved back to the south shore to help my family with this new business. I found the first few months of opening was like the anti-McDonalds… it was a struggle. As our name and reputation spread things began to get busier.
About a year after opening my Dad and Mom took over the business while my brother in law went on to other business endeavors. After 6 years of my Dad & Mom running a very busy very demanding business, my Mom wanted OUT.
Dad came to me asking if I and my sister wanted to take over things. I figured with 15 years of restaurant experience I was ready to venture out on my own. In 2017 we celebrated our 30th anniversary in business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was not easy in the beginning … I remember the first week of business after paying all my vendors I was left with $1.00, at least everyone got paid!!!
Also in April of 2003, we experienced a fire that destroyed the whole back part of the shop. We were told it was a fire that started between walls of the walk-in refrigerator.
To say the least, we were devastated, we had a choice, walk away and close the business or rebuild. We didn’t want a fire to take away our livelihood so after 6 months of putting the shop back together we reopened.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pizza Plus – what should we know?
Pizza Plus has tucked away off the beaten path, therefore we are like a hidden gem, but once you find us you won’t be disappointed. We start by making our own pizza dough fresh every day. Many items on our menu are homemade… meatballs, chili, clam chowder, soups, pasta salads etc.
We take pride in serving only the freshest foods. We are also a place where we know most of our customers’ names… we like to greet them by name and genuinely know how they are doing. We also have quite a few customers who have been with us for close to the 30 years, so we are now serving their kid’s kids
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
This is a “family thing”, besides my partner (sister) Patty the dough queen, we also have my Dad who comes by the shop every day to see how things are going and if anything needs to be done. Also, my other sister, Laura has been with us for quite a few years.
She brings very positive and enthusiastic ideas to the business. One other, would by my son Zac. After being away at school Zac decided to come home and work at Pizza Plus. He brought creativity, and culinary ideas back to Pizza Plus
Contact Info:
- Address: 12 Sea Street No. Weymouth MA. 02191
- Website: Pizzaplusweymouth.com
- Phone: 781-331-8221
- Facebook: Pizza Plus
Image Credit:
Patty McKenna, Laura Howesberger, Zac Holmes
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