It doesn't seem that long ago. Two young men, tired of the cold DC winters, loaded up the U-Haul and headed to the Sunshine State to find their fortune. One of them had been a mechanic and the other had worked as an assistant pro at a local golf course.
Upon arrival, they had enough money to rent a small two bedroom apartment. The mechanic found work quickly. The young golf pro discovered that Florida had more out of work golf pros than sunbathers.
The young golfer was not dismayed. Secretly, he had always had a dream of becoming a chef and owning his own restaurant. He went out in search of work in the restaurant industry and could only land a job delivering pizzas for one of the local chains. He didn't have a car, so he took the job and delivered pizzas using roller blades for transportation.
Life for the mechanic did not change much. He could walk to work and he earned enough to keep himself in beer and chips through the week. Between the two of them, they had money to pay the rent and cable and purchase a second hand TV.
The delivery boy asked the owner of the restaurant if he could be taught to cook. The owner told him that his job was to deliver pizzas. If he wanted to learn to cook, he was welcome to come in on his day off and learn. He accepted the challenge and delivered pizzas six days a week and on the seventh day, he went in for ten hours of instruction on meal preparation. He learned the prep work. He learned to toss dough. He learned how to mix sauces. Soon, he was learning the various recipes for meals served in the restaurant. He got the information necessary to become certified in the State and passed all the requirements.
While in the kitchen, he also learned about the ingredients. He learned how to order. He met the suppliers and used his time to establish relationships with them.
As luck would have it and turnover being what it is in the restaurant industry, he had the chance to move inside from deliveries and become a counterman. The owner recognized his fervor to learn and move up. Soon he was the night manager for one of the locations.
The store prospered and he was promoted to store manager. The store continued to prosper. A day came and the numbers at one of the other stores began to falter. He was transferred to that store. It slowly turned around and began to see profits rise.
Eventually, the owner put the one-time delivery boy in charge of all 5 of his restaurants. He was growing and learning. His mechanic friend got homesick and moved back to Maryland. It did not matter. He was moving closer to his dream every day.
After several years of running the restaurants, he finally had enough money saved that he could begin to look for a place of his own. He went to the owner and told him that he wanted to own his own restaurant. The owner sent him packing.
He found a little place that had a great location but it was in trouble because business was falling off. It was a second store for a smaller chain and the current owner could not be in two places at once. They talked, a deal was struck and the young man finally had his own store.
Life was very good for several years. His business grew and he hired many people to fill the slots as he expanded his hours of operation. For a period of time, it was the only place to get a hot meal after 2 am. He worked long hours and built a fine business. He bought his first home. The delivery boy with a GED was now a business owner and a home owner.
Then, a little over two years ago, a hurricane blew through southern Florida, rolled into the Bay and turned around and roared back across the state, devastating Ft. Lauderdale. Power was out for days everywhere. He went to his shop and used lanterns for lighting and offered hot meals to emergency workers. He kept his restaurant open longer hours. His prices remained the same. He had become a beacon or hope in his small community.
The economy faltered and began slowing down. Businesses began closing. The real estate market went very sour. The "season" that once provided the nest egg became no different than the off season. He continued to operate. He tried to keep his employees on the payroll. The business continued to drop off and he had to make some cuts. He refused to let long time employees go. He told me "they have families too."
Today, the business continues to limp along. They are down about 25% in sales. Costs have gone up. Everyone is aware that milk is now almost $5 a gallon and a block of cheese has quadrupled in price. He is hanging on.
He represents the best in the American entrepreneur. He still believes that things will get better. I can not disagree with him. He is my son. He truly is a self made man. I would do anything to help him.
So I believe in the synergy of Active Rain and I believe that sharing his story and offering members a chance to participate in his survival is o.k.
His shop is Downtown Pizza in Oakland Park. They deliver. They can be reached at 954-447-4992 (954-44-pizza). They deliver. Their menu is online at http://www.downtownpizzaonline.com/
So if you are so inclined, they can prepare wonderful food for brokers opens. They can prepare and deliver full meals to those clients that just moved in and would like a hot meal delivered on their first night in a new home. They are open until 4am. They make and deliver a pizza that is made with homemade crust and sauce and delivered to your door.
If you do have the chance, he is John Jr., tell him I sent you and let him know his dad is proud of him and the man he has become. Maybe one day, in another way, I can return the favor. If the five minutes it took to read this ended up irritating you, I am sorry. You see, I am a dad forever.
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Hope your post helps him get some additional business and support from the community. Its a bit far to get pizza from here in Arizona or we would order some :-)
Wonderful story, John! It's good to hear about someone with a dream who goes the extra mile to achieve it. If I venture to Oakland Park I'll be sure to pop my head in.
Bob & Carolin - Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. My fingers are crossed.
Tchaka - You will be treated wonderfully and probably leave with a full belly and new found friend. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Did I mention they deliver and his number is 954-44-PIZZA
It's so nice to see a story from a very proud Dad.
I'll be driving down to Miami from Atlanta for Thanksgiving.
I'm thinking that I just might be hungry for a pizza pie just before I get to Mom's house!
Seriously, If we have the time, we will definitly stop in.
Nancy - Thanks so much for reading and commenting. You will be rewarded with a wonderful meal if you have the chance to stop. Call ahead and they will have it ready for you when you arrive.
Great post John!
What determination you son has! Rollerblading to deliver pizzas is really going the extra mile. He will succeed through this as well.
John, fabulous post. You should add it to the family group that Jason Crouch and Adam Waldman started.
Wonderful post. I wish I was closer, I love a great pizza. If I'm ever down that way, I'll definately check it out.
Also have you thought about doing a restaurant review and posting it on localism? Could help the restaurant with AR's google juice magic.
John
I will stop by and give it a try. And thanks for a story any dad would be proud to tell.
John- I live in the area, I will be stopping by and letting everyone I know.
I just rated this one "5 Wows!" What an inspiring story. And I forgot to eat breakfast, so it's making me hungry!
Todd and Danielle - It is a quiet pleasure to watch your children succeed after struggling. Thank you for your comments.
Missy - Thanks for the heads up. I have joined the group and added the post. It is good to have guideance.
Melissa - That sounds like a good idea. I will see how to do just that. Thanks for sharing.
Mitchell - Thank you so much. As I have mentioned, you arrive hungry, leave satisfied and probably have made a new friend.
Jeannette - Thank you. This will create a win-win situation. He gets to see your smiling face and dazzle you with culinary delights and you discover a little place that will offer you "almost" home cooking. Sharing the information with friends is the most powerful message shared.
Patricia - You are always so kind to stop and read. Your measuring stick has validity and I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Now, sneak out and have a fine breakfast.
John - a couple of examples of resturant reviews you might want to look at. Rich Kruse did one in early September for Manny's Mexican Restaurant in Dallas and Jeff Turner did a great one a while back 6-8 months ago. I'm pretty sure Jeff talked to the owner of the restaurant after the blog was posted and they were getting customers who were finding them via goggle and Jeff's blog. Also I think Ines Garcia of Miami has done some as well. Might check out her blog for ideas.
John,
I know this place!!! Fabulous food, now that I know. I'll go back and say, "Hi!"
Great story,
Thanks for the email.
Karen Monsour, Realtor, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 954-464-4194
Wow! Now I have a lump in my throat. Wish he delivered to Los Angeles, I'd call him today <s>/
Melissa - I have taken a shot. It is up in localism.....thanks
Karen - It is so nice to hear that you speak from experience. Please return (often : ) ) Thank you for your kind words. It made me happy to read.
Cheryl - Thanks....good vibes travel cross country as well. You never know......
John - As a fellow proud dad, I only wish I was in the area to help support your son's restaurant. I do have a bit of an audience here on Active Rain, though, so I featured this in the "Family Ties" group and it will also appear in my weekly wrapup which is going out today. You are a good man, and I thank you for sharing this. I felt like I was reading Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story". Well done!
John - he is a fine boy and you are right to be proud of him. I will be again taking my tennis team to the Sony Erickson Tennis Tournament in Miami in the Spring. I'll call ahead and make sure he has plenty of room for us on both legs of our journey.
Jason - That is so kind of you. Obviously you are aware that our children remain forever young in our eyes. Even as they grow into adults, we continue to attempt to lend a hand. Thank you for your support.
Simon - He will be delighted to take your call. He still remembers your wonderful hosting of his trip to Tampa. Thank you for remembering my son.
John - You are more than welcome. I just posted my wrapup and your story is the first one listed. This was a natural fit for our group. Thanks very much!
Ok John, you made me cry.........tears of gratitude! I literally have goosebumps and know without a doubt that your son will come through these trying times with angel wings, after all, his father is an angel on earth. If it weren't for the difficult times, we would have nothing to compare our abundant times with and they wouldn't have the same meaning. If I was closer, I would be on my way to your son's restaurant right now. I was in the restaurant industry for 20 years and I respect anyone who has the same kind of passion for a hard industry like that. Your son is very blessed and will continue to be so. He will also have great success and if anyone does find this post irritating, then all I can say is "I am sorry for you". Keep the faith and anytime I am down that way, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be eating pizza in your son's fine establishment!!
John - and that is despite the fact that we beat the pants off your Redskins huh? :) Still waiting for confirmation from you and "she who must be obeyed" as to your post Thanksgiving trip!
Awwww, what a an awesome story and what a *wonderful* son you have raised. I know you must be bursting with pride over his work ethic, fortitude and success. Wish we were close enough to visit his restaurant but even without our business, I just know he will be absolutely fine...he has what it takes to always land on his feet! Best of luck to him and thanks for the uplifting story.
what a great story!!! that is an inspiration!!!
I too only wish that I was closer - hopefully the good vibes will help
Sandi - Your kind words are appreciated. You noted a very important point. He recently shared with me that he did not realize how good he had it until it was gone. Thank you for sharing.
Susan - His experience is part of the larger picture of our economy. We focus on the real estate. The trickle down effect impacts all the industries that serve those that serve us. Hopefully, things will turn around. The last thing he wants to do is board up the store and go home.
Barbara-Jo and Bill - Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
David - I believe that good thoughts from afar are powerful. Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts.
WOW, you make me want a pizza now! Think he would deliver to Ohio? HAHA. Hope it all works out for him.
John ~ After wiping the tears from my eyes, I just had to comment and let you know that your son's determination is an inspiration, and your pride in your son is well placed. I hope things turn around for him, but with a Dad like you behind him he will never fail.
John - I'm going to engage in very bad blog comment form and post a link to another blog here but hopefully you won't mind since it's your localism blog about Downtown Pizza. I just want everyone who's reading this to see how great that is as well. I loved the real estate show!
Chad - Ohio....I can't get him to deliver to DC. Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Kathy - thank you so much for your heartfelt comment. In a world full of folks just waiting to care for each other, I don't think anyone can fail.
Melissa - Thank you for posting the link. Your kindness means a great deal to me.
John I wish I was in FL, I love a good pizza! Can/did you post this blog to the localism community where his restaurant is?
You go dad! What a great tribute to a fine young man. I wish him all the success in the world. Maybe you can get a local news service to pick this up down there...