New owners take over Pizza Man of Mount Pulaski

[October 13, 2017] 

MOUNT PULASKI

There’s a new pizza maker in town and his name is Griffin Tschantz. Griffin and his wife, Sallie, recently took over Pizza Man of Mount Pulaski from Jeff and Marsha Holmes. The couple along with their two young children, Beau and Rubi, are bursting with pride over the new adventure.

“Can you tell Beau is excited?” asked Sallie. Nine-year-old Beau can’t stop grinning and has already enjoyed helping his dad learn how to make pizza dough and doing odd jobs around the business, including sweeping the floor. Two-year-old Rubi has plenty of time to learn the pizza trade, and when she does, it’s a sure bet she will serve a lot of pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches.

Customers will hardly notice the change for a while as the former owners will still be a familiar sight around Pizza Man. Marsha will continue to help Griffin make pizzas and learn the ropes of operating Pizza Man. “I will get Griffin up to speed,” commented the former pizza maker, who has over 30 years of experience behind the counter.

“That was part of the deal,” said the new pizza man, Griffin, with a smile.

Jeff and Marsha Holmes (left),
Griffin and Sallie Tschantz (right)

Meanwhile Marsha's husband and silent partner, Jeff, might also hang around in the front booth from time to time because you see, there is a friendship among the couples. Because the four friends enjoy a 20-plus year friendship, the transfer of ownership has been a smooth one.

Interviewing the four friends and getting a better feel for their relationship was a real treat.

The stories began 20 years ago when Sallie was still in college and Griffin began working at ADM in Decatur with Jeff. Griffin and Jeff worked the same swing shift at ADM and the two men started hanging out together after work.

Sallie (nee Bowles) played volleyball at Western Illinois University, and Jeff and Marsha would occasionally go see her play. A WIU Volleyball Team poster used to hang in the entry way of Pizza Man. After college, Sallie and Griffin got married with Jeff as the best man in the wedding. From here the couples would spend Wednesday evenings laughing together at the Comedy Club at the Decatur Holiday Inn, since the guys always had Wednesday and Thursday set days off.

The bond of friendship continued to grow stronger through the years. Ironically, the two couples traveled to Las Vegas several years ago to attend a…. wait for it….., yes, a pizza convention.

“We took them on a pizza expo trip to Vegas once,” said Jeff.

Marsha confirmed it. “It was a national pizza convention.” A convention that featured vendors from all over the country vying for the attention of those involved in the pizza business. A premonition for Griffin and Sallie maybe? Maybe it was just fate. Only time would tell.

The two men also share a love of fishing. In fact, a fishing trip is where the latest story picks up that led to Griffin and Sallie purchasing Pizza Man.

Jeff opened the conversation with the story that began earlier this summer. “We went to Mark Twain Lake and fished a tournament. Well…we tried,” he said honestly.

Griffin jumped in, “I was talking about doing something different.”

Griffin was looking for a career change after 20 years at ADM, so Jeff simply dropped this idea on “Grif” as he calls him, “Hey, the Pizza Man would be a good business for you guys.”

“We got to talking and I was real interested,” said Griffin.

Griffin went home and told Sallie of his interest in the business and she said, “What?”

Sallie puts in her two cents. “Then I called Marsha one day and said, “Hey, was this planned? Like, I know you’re wanting to sell Pizza Man. So was this whole fishing trip planned?” Sallie laughed.

Griffin and Sallie Tschantz along with their children, Beau and Rubi.

The wheels were already spinning in Griffin’s head that day on the lake and with Jeff planting the seed so to speak that afternoon in the boat, the Tschantz’s had the entire summer to cultivate the idea. By the time October rolled around, the deal was ready to be finalized. A perfect fit for all involved really.

Marsha started her career by managing Pizza Man for the original owner, Sid Shanks, back in April of 1981 when the business opened on the town square. Marsha served as the manager of Pizza Man until September of 1985. She then left the pizza business to work for the Department of Corrections, a career she would hold until her recent retirement. In the meantime, she returned to Pizza Man in June of 1987 and worked part-time for other owners. In May of 2006 Marsha and Jeff purchased Pizza Man.

As owners for the last 11 years the Holmes' have built the business back up and maintained a standard of excellence in food service that keeps customers returning from all over central Illinois. Marsha’s hard work ethic throughout the years, and that of her outstanding staff, has allowed the business to prosper.

Jeff chimed in with complimenting his wife on just how hard she’s worked at the pizza business, and then he nodded to Griffin and said, “And he’s a worker.”

Griffin added, “I’m just going to continue in Marsha’s footsteps and do the best that we can do.”

Sallie said, “We are going to try to make her proud.”

“I think they will do real good,” Jeff spoke up. “Two kids that will do well,” said Jeff, nodding in approval.

“With a lot of Marsha’s help,” Griffin was quick to add.

Griffin seemed particularly at ease knowing that Marsha will still be sticking around for a while. Marsha, who cannot sit still, will continue to keep up with her part-time bookkeeping job as well as help out at Pizza Man.

While Marsha’s 30 plus years’ experience is priceless to Griffin, it’s obvious by the constant smile on his face that the former owner’s endorsement, not to mention friendship, means the world to him as well.

“We would like to thank all our loyal customers we’ve had through the years,” said Marsha, “and we hope they continue to be just as loyal to the new owners.”

Jeff echoed the sentiment. “We appreciate all the business over the years.”

Both Jeff and Marsha noted that not only has Mount Pulaski supported Pizza Man, but the surrounding communities have also made the business the success it is today.

It’s a win-win situation for all involved.

For Jeff and Marsha they can still get a taste of the pizza business while looking forward to heading south in the wintertime without the responsibility of being business owners.

As for Griffin and Sallie, their youth, enthusiasm, love for the community and focus on family and friends will without a doubt provide an outstanding foundation for their successful adventure.

Grif plans to “keep everything the same” and that will surely please returning customers.

So when you visit Pizza Man you will see the same familiar faces as the help will not change and you can still get pizza during the same business hours.

The new owners also plan a Grand Opening in the near future. Stop in for some great pizza and say “hi” to the Tschantz Family.

Griffin and Sallie are both longtime members of the Mount Pulaski community and both were graduates of Mount Pulaski High School. They make their home in rural Mount Pulaski with their two adorable children, Beau and Rubi.

Pizza Man hours:

Sunday 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Monday 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Thursday 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]