New Flavor

New Owners Plan Renovations, Menu Additions for Greek’s Pizzeria

Writer / Megan Arszman

Photographer / Amy Payne

The new year brought new owners at Greek’s Pizzeria on Park Street in Westfield. However, the new owners are not new to the community. They’re longtime supporters of the growth of the city, and adding the restaurant to their repertoire is just another way for them to give back to the area.

Curt and Jen Whitesell originally met while working in a restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan. Jen followed Curt south when he moved to central Indiana, and they subsequently moved to Westfield to start their family in 2006. Curt owns WKRP Indy Real Estate, a commercial realty company that has worked with clients in the purchase and redevelopment of buildings throughout downtown Westfield. Jen has continued to work within the restaurant business, also focusing on their two children, Mackenzie and Kaleb.

While working with the previous owner of Greek’s Pizzeria Westfield to find a new, bigger location within the Grand Junction Plaza area, Curt discovered that she was planning to move closer to her family in Atlanta, Georgia, thus putting the popular pizza chain up for sale. Curt, who has more than 20 years of experience with the restaurant business, saw an opportunity for not only himself and his wife, but also for his longtime clients.

Whitesell didn’t have to look too far for partners. In fact, he just had to look to the landlords of the building itself, Bob and Michelle Beauchamp.

“Curt calls me up one day to tell me the Wrights were looking to sell the restaurant, so I asked him if he was up to managing the business,” Bob says.

A deal was then struck. The Beauchamps would continue their ownership of the building and their title as landlords, and the Whitesells became the “face of the company,” as Bob calls the managing couple.

“The restaurant came with a really good management team and staff already, so there’s no need to replace anyone,” Curt says. “Jen is acting as the general manager and I’ll be doing the marketing. Bob and Michelle, as the landlords, will be working to continually improve the building inside and out. I just love it and saw that this was just one more way we could invest in downtown Westfield.”

Citing his real estate business and his appreciation for his wife’s experience and knowledge, Curt says it’ll be Jen running most aspects of the restaurant.

“She’s really good at it and she was ready to work for herself, so it’s a natural fit,” he says.

The Beauchamps have lived in Westfield since 1983 and currently own Beauchamp Antiques in town.

“We have no experience running restaurants, just owning them, so our roles are perfectly set as partners,” Michelle says.

The Beauchamps were inspired to continually invest in their hometown through the commercial outlet, and are looking forward to being active in the improvements that are planned for the pizzeria in the coming months.

“We’re excited about having the Midland Trace Trail running right behind our restaurant and the potential of Grand Junction Plaza,” Bob says. “We’re just poised for greatness there.”

To capitalize on their location, plans for renovating the area in the back of the restaurant, and adding onto the deck, may start as the weather warms up. Plans for the yard include park benches, fire pits, lighting, and an area for live music, to make it an attraction for families on the trail.

The Whitesells and Beauchamps are also working on additional offerings inside the pizzeria by utilizing the current bar, but enlarging it somewhat for their beer and wine selection. Because of the location, they have requested a liquor license and have plans to partner with Westfield’s 1205 Distillery for a unique cocktail menu to complement the food offerings.

Curt is looking forward to expanding on the standard franchise menu, with more gluten-free dairy-free options.

“Greek’s already has a gluten-free crust that is just delicious,” Curt says. “It’s more like a cracker, rather than having a chewy texture like a cauliflower crust.”

A gluten-free pasta and more dietary offerings are also in the planning stages. However, one immediate change that customers will see is that the dining room, which has been closed due to the pandemic, has reopened safely.

“We’re doing a bunch of dine-in specials, and just look forward to inviting the citizens of Westfield back to check us out,” Curt says. “We’re just excited to bring more people to downtown Westfield.”

To take a look at what Greek’s Pizzeria Westfield has to offer, visit their website at eatgreeks.com. Call for carry-out or delivery at 317-804-7777, or visit the restaurant, which is now open for dine-in service, at 231 Park Street in Westfield.