By Chris Bavender
Walk into Jan’s Village Pizza and you’ll notice the new paint, the small round table tucked away in a cozy corner for couples, and the new owners, Kim and Bryan Kercheval. The couple took ownership Aug. 1.
“I wanted to get back into the restaurant industry and this opportunity presented itself. I went into work with Jan (Miller) about two years ago to learn the recipes and the business operation,” said Kim, who has 20 years’ experience in the restaurant business.
The Jan’s locations in Westfield and neighboring Sheridan had been owned by Steve and Jan Miller since 1997. The couple decided to retire.
“We know they’ll do just fabulous, continuing the tradition of good pizzas and good service we started,” the Millers wrote in a post on Jan’s Village Pizza’s Facebook page. “We are so excited for them, and for you our customers, a new era begins.”
A new era that included a makeover of the Westfield shop – including a new floor for the kitchen and new paint in the upper room and main dining room.
“All of this was possible because we had so many people willing to help us clean and paint. Friends would come by and say, ‘I’ve got an hour to paint,’” Kim said. “The staff was a tremendous help by coming in and painting and doing whatever needed to be done to help get the shop open. My mom and sister came in from Illinois and stayed for about two weeks to help us get everything ready. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Another new touch is the date table.
“We had a small, cute round table we felt would be a perfect table for this corner. We wanted a cozy area for a couple on a date or just an area where you could really connect with the person you were dining with,” Kim said. “We ask everyone who sits there if they’d like their picture taken.”
The menu features new dessert items: a white macadamia nut cookie with French vanilla ice cream and a raspberry topping, and a chocolate chip cookie with mint chocolate chip ice cream with a chocolate drizzle. Pizza fans will still find their favorite pies on the menu, including The Special and The Mediterranean.
“This pizza (Mediterranean) was the winner of the 2013 Midwest Pizza Challenge. The customers love the ingredients and the taste of it,” Kim said. “The Special is amazing because it has everything on it. Each bite is a deliciousness of veggies and meats.”
Jan’s has been staying open late for home football games and offering a buffet with special pricing for students who come in after the games. Plans also are in the works for some “fun ideas” for adults and kids alike.
“We are continuously working to improve our operation but will have the same great quality that Jan’s Village Pizza has always had,” Kim said.
