Monical's Pizza coming to town in May
There is a new pizza parlor coming to town that promises to be a family pleaser. Monical's Pizza will open in Putnam Plaza the second week of May.
Owners Jenny and Bill Bradshaw are delighted to be opening the new restaurant that has 59 units in operation around the Midwest.
"We looked around at different locations. We knew we wanted to come to a small community. We like the feel of the Greencastle community," said Bradshaw.
Her daughter owns and operates the Monical's Pizza in Avon and Traders Point.
"She and a friend wanted to start a business. Her friend was from Illinois and had been to Monical's. They decided they liked the company and started. I visited her restaurant in Avon and decided to open one too," said Bradshaw.
Although the couple lives in Danville, where Bill has been a teacher and coach for many years, they have attended several community events in Greencastle.
"We want to be part of the community. We are a corporate sponsor for the Putnam County Relay for Life and plan to do a lot more. We want to give back to the community we're involved in," added Bradshaw.
The new store will include a community room that will seat 40 people. It will be available at no charge to groups and organizations to use.
The restaurant will also offer fundraising nights at the facility to groups who will receive 20 percent of all profits.
A wall of champions will be available for sports teams to bring a picture of their team to hang on the wall. Each team will receive two pizzas and two pitchers of soft drinks for bringing in their pictures.
Monical's offers the usual array of pizza, pasta and sandwiches but adds a twist with its sweet and sour dressing, which is sold by the bottle in the store and available to add to your pizza.
"Our thin crust pizza is the biggest draw to our stores, but the sweet and sour dressing is also special. Once you add it to your pizza, you have to have it every time," laughed Bradshaw.
"We love the dressing they have and drive to Avon now just to get it. Once you try it, you will love it. You won't want to eat your pizza without it," said Monical's fan and Greencastle resident Machelle Whitney. "We used to eat their pizza when we lived in Illinois. I'm so glad they are coming here," she added.
The Monical's Pizza chain began in 1959 when the family started making pizzas in the little town of Tolono, Ill. Before long, their recipe became a hit with many of their local friends and neighbors eventually growing into a thriving business.
Today there are 59 Monical's Pizza restaurants, primarily located throughout Central Illinois with several in Indiana and one in Wisconsin.
The pizza restaurant will hire 20 plus employees, both full and part time. Positions will include kitchen help and wait staff.
Monical's Pizza is located at 29 Putnam Plaza, next door to Peebles. Their phone number is 765-301-4404. A ribbon cutting and grand opening will take place in mid May when they open. Menus are available online at www.monicals.com