It’s a story that began in Dragoni, Italy many years ago…and later right here in Michigan’s Great Southwest when Tony & Glayne Macerata crafted Roma’s Pizza at the crossroads in downtown Berrien Springs. As a result of the sale of Roma’s last November, the story takes on a new angle as the pizzeria officially becomes Town Hall Pizza on Wednesday.
Sam Barrington & Jennae Gee purchased Roma’s of Berrien Springs on November 19, 2018. While the deal included all of the assets of the business including the ovens and all of the equipment and even many of the recipes, it did not include the name, Roma’s.
Sam & Jennae took to Facebook last week to explain the situation, hoping to temper the inevitable disappointment when the name officially changes this week.
They offered up, “While we have worked hard for this moment and are very excited, we totally understand that for others, with a collective 49 years of wonderful and amazing memories and experiences with Roma’s, this could be disappointing. So, allow us to explain…”
They then moved into the details behind the legal and transactional decision when the Macerata family sold the business. Simply put, the name was not included, and the new owners understand, saying, “We don’t blame them. We are not their children, their close family members, or even long-term employees. We were complete strangers. We, too, would be hesitant to sell to strangers a name that we had spent a life time building and which has earned an outstanding reputation over its 49 years.”
They go on to note the remarkable relationship they’ve enjoyed since taking over the business, saying, “In the purchase of their restaurant and following, the Maceratas have been nothing but generous, kind, and supportive of us. They allowed us to continue to operate under the Roma name for three months to help us in the transition. Tony worked alongside of us to teach us how he does what he does: make the most amazing tasting pizzas! Glayne was patient to explain systems and procedures and answer every question we had, even calling from time to time as things would come to her mind that were important for us to know for our future success.”
They are highly appreciative of that support, adding, “From the moment of purchase forward, we have been more and more humbled and grateful to be a part of the legacy and iconic standing Roma’s has had in this community. The truth is, we didn’t just buy a great restaurant, we received a treasure in Berrien Springs that has an amazing history and reputation. We are very aware that the Maceratas’ 49 years of hard work and great reputation provided us with a customer base that would have taken us years to establish, if ever. And we are SO thankful to Tony & Glayne as well as the entire Macerata family.”
They also explain the new name, Town Hall Pizza, saying that one of the main reasons they were attracted to the purchase was learning from local photography star, Karen Hopkins, that the building next door which houses her business was the original Town Hall of Berrien Springs.
Sam & Jennae tell us, “With all of the historical remnants still attached, our hearts got excited to think about all of the history that has taken place on this property since at least the 1860’s. We began to devour Berrien Springs history from authors like Robert Myers, visited the Historical Society, and fell in love with one of the oldest buildings – and civic centers – of Berrien Springs!!! The original Town Hall of what is now the Village of Berrien Springs. And thus, on February 27th we will be Town Hall Pizza.”
The new owners are hopeful that everyone will join them in continuing the two fascinating stories side-by-side, “The story of the Macerata family that begins in Dragoni, Italy and finds its fruition in an amazing restaurant serving Southwest Michigan for the past 49 years. And second, the story of the actual historical function of the property we now own – the original Town Hall of Berrien Springs!”
A new chapter in both stories will begin to be written starting Wednesday with the new Town Hall Pizza of Berrien Springs, located at 121 W. Ferry Street in the central business district of the Village of Berrien Springs.
