CRESTLINE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Checkers Pizza has always been a Crestline tradition – no matter how you “slice it.”
Now, Checkers is operating in a new location at 101 South Seltzer Street, and it’s under new ownership. But it’s still serving the prized pies and other favorite fare former owner Bill Christman dished out for nearly 40 years.
“Checkers is the pizza we had growing up. It’s the taste of Crestline,” said Erin Jones, one of the new owners, and a 2000 Crestline High School graduate. “We’re using the same dough. Our sauce and cheese are also the original recipe. It was important to us, and we didn’t want to change that.”
Jones and her partners took over the business on February 25 – the 39th anniversary of its opening. She said they relied on Christman to help with the transition. “He’s been very supportive and very encouraging. He’s given us his tips and tricks. We all worked under him to replicate what he could create.”
Although they intended to keep the original location on North Seltzer Street, Jones said, the new space was substantially larger, had a liquor license, and offered plenty of parking. But they had to expand the kitchen to accommodate a fry area and pizza-making operation, she said.
They brought in a local artist, Sean Rogers, to design and paint pizza-related murals in the 80-seat dining area and restrooms. The restaurant’s logo was also redesigned, Jones said. “We updated our logo to encompass the image we wanted for Checkers moving forward.”
The pizzeria prepares the dough daily – “not too thick, not too thin, and we take our toppings to the edge,” Jones said. Its famous Jo’s potato wedges are still being served, she said, along with Checkers’ popular Whole Hog Pizza, a pie brimming with all-meat toppings.
A white pizza has been added to the menu offerings, Jones said. In addition, Checkers has introduced hot chicken sandwiches, hand-cut French fries, and five new chicken wing flavors. “The crew takes great pride in the food coming out of the kitchen and I think that shows.”
Her husband, John, is also part owner, as is another former classmate and friend, Bart Scarbro, and his wife, Katy. They have hired musicians to perform every Saturday night and are excited about the outdoor seating area – another perk of the new building, Jones said.
“We really wanted to create a place where families could come,” she said. “We’re trying to give Crestline and neighboring communities a place to come and hang out. Checkers has been in Crestline 39 years, and we want to see it stay for at least 39 more.”
