A popular pizzeria will add a second location in 2024. JT’s Pizza & Pub will expand to Grandview, aiming to open next summer at Southern Station, 836 Bowman Way.
It’s a process that’s actually been nearly five years in the making reveals Founder Joe Hartnett.
“The hardest thing we’re going to do is this second location so it has to be so right,” he says.
JT’s looked at options in Dublin and Clintonville and thought about Evans Farm. But they needed to find the Goldilocks of locations – close enough that they had some name recognition, but not so close as to cannibalize on the business of their original location at 2390 W. Dublin Granville Rd.
Grandview fit the bill. Hartnett says they like the demographics of the area – plenty of people in their 20s and 30s, younger families – as well as the density of the neighborhood. The proximity to Downtown’s sports-arena row is a plus too.
JT’s has also been working to get key staff and business partners in place, each with their own areas of expertise, including Phil Panourgias, executive chef and partner, and partner Michael Petruziello. Hartnett says having the right team allows him to split the nucleus, maintaining the JT’s patrons know and love, while bringing the experience to a whole new neighborhood.
That will, of course, include the core menu of pizzas that were voted to be among the best in Columbus by CU readers. The pizzeria offers a number of specialty pies, and design your own pizza options that include four sauces, five crust flavors and two dozen toppings. JT’s has also earned a following for its seasonal Pizza of the Month. And what’s the most popular seasonal pie? The crab rangoon – crab and herbed cream cheese on a sweet chili base with scallions and crushed wontons. (And it’s currently on the menu!)
Panourgias says they will probably add some menu items specific to Grandview. They’ll be adjacent to the pool at Southern Station, so that could equate to keeping the Margherita pizza on all season long, and adding a few lighter options.
Hartentt says the Grandview location will also have regular lunch hours, so they might offer soups and more options suited for a quick bite.
At 4,600 square feet, the Grandview location will be larger than the original. JT’s is working with Sketch Blue and J. Cater Bean on the design for the space. Hartnett says they want to capture that same warm, inviting, family-friendly neighborhood sports bar feel, but make it more modern. The kitchen will also get a proper build out. The original kitchen was really designed to do in a week what they now do in an hour, but they make it work. That’s what kitchen people do, Panourgias says, they adapt and overcome.
In expanding from one location to two, Hartnett speaks to keeping the core values of JT’s the same. He says being consistent and providing quality service is a top priority. A Bud Light tastes the same everywhere, but what makes people come to JT’s for a cold one?
They’re also out to support the community that supports them. The pizzeria has gotten involved in the Worthington community and schools, and looks to do the same in Grandview.
For more information, visit jtspizzacolumbus.com.
Additional Reading – Aficionadough: JT’s Pizza and Pub – Choose Your Own Adventure
