Todd Glenn and Derek Crouch.
Todd Glenn purchased Jaspare’s Pizza from Gaspare and Bina Scavone, hardworking Italian immigrants, for whom he worked in his high school years. Both Gaspare and Bina have since passed, but many of their traditions remain, Glenn says, “We still do all the prep work, making fresh dough, grating cheese, slicing fresh vegetables, and preparing the sauces each day.”
Today Jaspare’s in Vicksburg employs 25 people. An average day sees more than 200 takeout orders prepared. In the early days, Glenn provided a few smaller tables in the shop and 90% of the business was takeout and delivery. In 2016 the business acquired a space next-door. It was used as a dine-in room. A bar was added with acquisition of a liquor license in 2018.
Today, according to Glenn, “Dine in and takeout are divided nearly 50-50.” Glenn remains connected to other Jaspare’s in the region through franchising. “All the other franchises are individually owned and operated, but you’ll find the same sauces and freshness commitment at all of them.”
Recent changes have required Glenn to make changes and adjustments. The massive infrastructure improvements downtown were a challenge, first with the downtown under construction, then the pandemic, and most recently with the well-attended events that regularly fill the downtown streets.
Glenn took advantage of Vicksburg’s façade grant program to add a roll-up door to the dine-in/bar side of the business. According to Glenn, “It’s been great on nice days to make the dine-in experience more enjoyable. During events, it makes the traffic flow easier for patrons taking advantage of Vicksburg’s social district, and during peak sports seasons it extends the experience into our beautiful downtown.”
Jaspare’s has also added big screen televisions and screens to better serve the many Michigan sports fans wanting to see the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and to cheer on collegiate teams. During the University of Michigan’s recent national championship game, all the patrons signed a University of Michigan flag that proudly hangs in a prominent spot on the wall.
The recent uptick in business has forced some changes. According to Glenn, “The priority is always dine in customers, take-out orders, and deliveries. The combination of increased business and difficulty in finding and maintaining employees has forced us to limit deliveries to the village only, but the increased dining space has more of our customers joining us in person.”
While Glenn stays busy with his franchise responsibilities and adjusting to constantly challenging business and industry changes, day-to-day operations fall to general manager Derek Crouch. Crouch bounces between the take-out operation, dine-in customers and tending bar seamlessly while Brad Dunlap manages the prep work and the kitchen. Crouch tends a well-stocked bar ready for regulars and the ever-increasing tastes of the many attendees that visit the village during events. Glenn says, “Event nights in Vicksburg are a real boon to all the downtown businesses. It’s like adding an additional day’s revenue to the week.”
Another tradition that started with the Scavone family still thrives at Jaspare’s. “We stay involved in our community,” says Glenn. “We support our high school teams, we sponsor youth sports, Generous Hands, and local churches through donations and gift cards.” Glenn’s family is also keeping the tradition alive with sons Wyatt and Brody working in the restaurant, and wife Manal doing all the book work.
Asked about the future of Jaspare’s Glenn says, “We’re currently thinking through our use of space within the current footprint ,and additional franchising to add locations is certainly a possibility.” To learn more or to place an order visit https://vicksburg.jasparespizza.com or call (269) 649-3975.
