Greeks Revived

Avon Native Reopens Beloved Pizzeria

Greek’s Pizzeria is a brand known for its vast menu options and the hometown feel of local pizza mingled with Greek-inspired flavors. As a senior in high school, Jacob Szumski, an Avon native, began his journey with Greek’s Pizzeria as a delivery driver. During that time, he discovered a love of making pizza and a true appreciation for the culture of neighborhood pizzerias. So much so that, when he turned 18, he bought Greek’s Pizzeria in Crawfordsville.

Since 2022, Szumski has helped turn around three different struggling Greek’s Pizzeria locations. His love for business and community has made him a thriving partner, and he excels at turning the tide. After a few years of commuting to work in Crawfordsville, Szumski noticed his own community-based Greek’s wasn’t thriving. After its closure, he took the opportunity to reopen a Greek’s Pizzeria in Avon. He and partners Emily and Steve Hawthorne converted the old Lou Malnati’s into a Greek’s, and the three set their sights on building a new image from the ground up.

“Since my delivery days at Plainfield, it’s always been a goal to have a store close to home,” Szumski says. “Close to family and friends. When the last location closed down due to external issues, I started looking for opportunities to bring Greek’s back to Avon in a new location.”

The Avon location offers carry-out only, but Szumski promises that the new spot at 8806 E. U.S. Highway 86 offers only the highest-quality pizza, and they’re steadfastly focused on customer service. The doors opened at their new location on October 27, 2025.

“I heard from many people that the last Avon Greek’s struggled with their service,” Szumski says. “The food was good, but they were slow, not the most welcoming and lacked communication. We aren’t going to be perfect, but we’re going to do everything we can to change the narrative of Greek’s Pizzeria in Avon. Faster service, smiling faces and quick response time is what we’re focused on.”

A young entrepreneur, Szumski, alongside his partners, wants to use their presence to help foster community around Avon. Along with dropping coupons and food at local businesses, he plans to sell slices at local gatherings and be a constant presence at chamber events.

He also hopes his story will be an inspiration to other kids. When he set out to become a business owner at 18, not everyone took him seriously. In the last four years, he’s owned four Greek’s Pizzeria stores, and he plans to make that five in the coming year.

“I have a passion for helping kids,” Szumski adds. “I want to be the older brother that every kid wished they had. I want to show them that it is possible to chase their dreams. A mix of persistence, hard work and being at the right place at the right time has given me a very powerful story, and I want to share that with others.”

Altogether, entrepreneurship suits Szumski. Not everyone appreciates the pressure of a rush, but he feels most at home in the middle of a Friday night rush with 50 orders on the screen and the phone ringing in the background. Although he feels the daily pressure that comes with owning a business, Szumski wouldn’t have it any other way.

And Szumski knows more than most that it takes a village.

Currently, his best friend is the store manager in Avon, and Szumski entrusts him with helping to set things on the right path at his store. His parents can also frequently be found running the Greek’s tent at local events. Ultimately, it’s his staff that he credits with keeping the lights on, a group that he views as family.

Szumski and his partners hope Greek’s Pizzeria in Avon will be the reason you choose pizza tonight.

Visit greekspizzeria.com to learn more.