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On Wednesday morning, Lincoln Daily News assisted
Papa John’s Pizza with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the parking lot
outside the front of the store. Papa John’s had tagged the event as
its “Pizzaversary,” celebrating more than a year of operation in
Lincoln.
At the opening of the event, LDN’s Nila Smith explained why the
ribbon cut was happening more than a year after the fact. Papa
John’s came to Lincoln in January of 2024. The week before the Super
Bowl that year a ribbon cut had been scheduled for the grand opening
of the store. That particular week was very cold with snow on and
off and even threats of nasty weather on the day of the cut. It was
decided that the cut needed to be cancelled for the well-being of
the participants. As she finished her commentary she said “we
certainly don’t have that problem this time!”
Indeed at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday the temperature was soaring into
the high 80’s with practically no breeze. The tents set up in front
of the store offered some shade and some reprieve from the heat.
Under those tents tables were set up where that guest could receive
free gifts and play games for the chance to win free pizza,
breadsticks, cookies and more. There was also an opportunity to
enter a drawing to win free pizza for one year (52 pizzas total)
Those on hand for the ribbon cut included Lincoln
Alderman Sam Downs and City Clerk Peggy Bateman. Representing Papa
John’s was Central Illinois District Manager Felicia Mont, District
Operator Jim Adkins, and Lincoln General Manager Frank Trimby.
In the absence of Mayor Welch, Alderman Downs was
called on to speak on behalf of the city. The began by saying he
wanted to wish the business “A warm welcome, a very warm welcome!”
in wished them the best for the future of the business.
Afterward, Felician Mont was called on and spoke
briefly saying it was good to be a part of the Lincoln community.
She said she admired and appreciated the sense of community in
Lincoln, noting that she had been at the Nashville Nights last
weekend and was impressed by the turnout.
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Jim Adkins was also called on to speak and echoed
Mont’s comments and spoke about how good it was to be in the
community. Store manager Frank Trimby also spoke thanking everyone
for coming out for the special event.
After the speeches, the group posed for the standard
pre-cut photo, then Mont with assistance from Adkins daughter Chloe,
snipped the ribbon.
Guests were invited inside for a tour of the store
provided by Monts. She took visitors from the front checkout to the
large 500-degree oven that works on a conveyor to cook pizzas to
perfection in five minutes, to the dough and topping prep stations
to the big walk in cooler where all the ingredients are stored until
it is time to make the pizzas.
The big pizzaversary event carried on throughout the
day, with several guests coming in right at the beginning to take
advantage of special prices and chances to win prizes courtesy of
Papa John’s.
[Nila Smith] |
