Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza To Open In Grand Junction End of 2019
Grand Mesa Center Scene Of New Culinary Destination This Holiday Season.
900 Degree Oven Creates “Smokin Fast, Smokin Fresh” Pizza in 90 seconds
Grand Junction, Colorado – (August 21, 2019) – Just in time for the holiday season, residents and visitors to Grand Junction, Colorado will find a unique culinary destination the end of this year with the opening of SMOKIN’ OAK WOOD-FIRED PIZZA in the Grand Mesa Center. The new restaurant will be located at 2478 Highway 6 and 50 (next to Bellco Credit Union) and be open seven days a week from 11 am to 9 pm. Patrons craving a casual, family-friendly atmosphere will find a unique menu offering guests the chance to create a “Smokin Fast, Smokin Fresh” pizza using only fresh ingredients. Opening date is projected to be mid-November, 2019.
Local residents and owners Bob & Cecily Marolf are passionate about the fresh-ingredient concept where you can enjoy building your own pizza creation with unlimited toppings. “Our menu items will be so fresh we literally will not have a freezer in the restaurant.” Guests are promised authentic, artisan pizza with no pre-processed or frozen ingredients. The fun pizza experience with a unique wood-fired taste starts with made from scratch dough that is rested for two days before baking. Additionally, 100% of the cooking will be done in a 5,000 pound wood-fired oven. No microwaves or deep fryers on site. Family friendly open gathering areas will offer unique and inviting seating for guests with 56 patrons inside and 34 outside on an expanded patio. Customers may also order on line for take-out or dine in.
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza Menu Items
Wood-fired brick ovens have been around since the beginning of civilization. Smokin’ Oak customers will find twelve signature “Smokin Fast, Smokin Fresh” pizzas with various topping combinations at a cost of $8.95 each. A varied menu offers themes from Buffalo Chicken, San Marino, Smoky Dokey, Italian Stallion, Red Barn, Garden Veggie, Alfredo-Licious to the Cyclone. Guests are encouraged to get creative and can build their own combination from 38 different toppings.
It’s a Family Affair – Corporate Professional Turns Entrepreneur
The Marolf’s signed a lease for the 2,000 square foot restaurant on August 8, 2019. Local contractor Larry Francis was hired to facilitate an anticipated 90-day build out of what locals will remember as a tanning salon located in the popular Grand Mesa Shopping Center. Grand Junction’s new pizza destination will truly be a family affair. Patrons will get to know owners Bob and his wife Cecily as well as their son Zach as they all welcome guests and help out in the new family restaurant.
“We are excited to offer the Grand Valley community as well as those visiting Colorado’s Western Slope this new concept as we incorporate some of our local wines and local craft beers to our menu. While Grand Junction has some fine pizza restaurants in town, we offer a unique concept. Your pizza is baked in a 900 degree wood-fired oven in just 90 seconds; the time from order completion to food on the table will be 4 to 5 minutes” Bob reported. Options for gluten free and vegan pizza will be available. Visitors will find a variety of salads and sandwiches as well. Desserts featuring local seasonal offerings such as Palisade Peaches will top off the menu.
Smokin’ Oak owner Bob Marolf might be new to the restaurant business but is no stranger as a business professional following a 35 year career with Meadow Gold Dairy, part of Dean Foods. He brings a diverse management background but said “the real key to success will be his new business partner and wife of 34 years. She inspires the confidence to go forward with this new venture; I couldn’t do it without her.” He announced he will be employing 20 to 30 full and part time employees by the end of the year. “We love our community and look forward to offering residents and visitors a new dining experience. We are planning a second Grand Junction location in early 2020 and are actively searching for properties.”
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza Franchise
The original restaurant opened in 2009 and was recognized as one of the first fast casual, wood-fired pizza restaurants in the US. Matt Mongoven, CEO of the Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza Franchise said they began franchising In 2016 and opened the first franchise location in Ames, IA in 2017. “We always knew that we had a special concept, and are so excited to be coming to Grand Junction, CO with great Franchisees in Bob and Cecily,” said Mongoven.
Additional locations will be opening in Colorado and throughout the US in 2020.
CONTACTS:
RESTAURANT OWNER:
Bob & Cecily Marolf ZCI Investments, LLC
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza Grand Junction, Colorado
970-712-3898
e: bob.marolf@smokinoakpizza.com
FRANCHISE OWNER:
Matt Mongoven
CEO, Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza 111 2nd Avenue NE, Suite 360
St. Petersburg, FL 33701 t: 917-215-4160
e: matt.mongoven@smokinoakpizza.com w: smokinoakpizza.com
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