By Courtney Almeida

Ramona’s Pizza expanding after almost 40 years

Feb 6, 2019 | 9:59 AM

Ramona’s Pizza has been a staple in the Grande Prairie downtown core for almost 40 years and this April the location is moving and expanding to become Ramona’s Pizza and Social Hall.

Since 1981, the company has been in ownership by the Bougiridis family.

The current owner, George Bougiridis, took over the business from his parents in 2013.

After years of economic ups and downs, Ramona’s Pizza has experienced exponential growth in the last five years and is now looking to expand.

“We’ve outgrown this location. We’ve got boxes piled in hallways and our staff are growing. The orders are coming in fast and there’s just not enough oven space or counter space, so being into a larger place where we can conduct business will be definitely a benefactor,” says Bougiridis.

More space isn’t the only thing being added. The business plan is shifting too. For the first time since 1981, Ramona’s Pizza will have a new name, “Ramona’s Pizza and Social Hall”. 

Existing staff will be moving to the new location, but the expansion will create about eight to 10 new jobs in the form of cooks, servers, and bartenders.

“Even though it’s kitchen work or serving and it’s entry-level jobs,” says Bougiridis. “I think it’s important that people start there, and they learn how to deal with people and communicating and working as a team.”

“It’s an honour to be mentioned to be creating jobs for people because that’s the kind of business that we’re in and we’re all for it.”

Although some have doubts about the stability of the Grande Prairie economy, Bougiridis believes the time for growth is now.

“If it’s in your goals as a company and something that you want to achieve, then you just go ahead and do it, he explains.  “I think if you have the right mindset and the right people to support you, then you’re going to be able to achieve those things.”

The expansion is something that has been in the works for quite some time now, but finally leaving will stir up emotions, Bougiridis says.

“The general consensus of people in Grande Prairie is that people will miss this spot. It’s been something that they’ve grown to love, and they came here when they were kids in the 80s, and now they’re all grown-up and they bring their kids here. It’s kind of nice to see that in the community.”

Memories from the old location will be missed but Bougiridis is excited for what the future will bring.  “We have the same staff, we still have the same ownership group that we started with years ago. We’re just going to move everything over into the new location and remake history, again.”

Ramona’s Pizza and Social Hall will offer the restaurant’s classic menu items with additional options including, wraps, burgers, salads and a full licensed drink menu.

The new business platform is something that has always been a dream of Bougiridis’.

“I think being able to catch things in real time and sit down with your customers and watch them enjoy the experience there is kind of what I’m shooting for.”

Construction on the new building is currently up and running with the grand opening set for mid-April.

Ramona’s Pizza and Social Hall will be 260 per cent larger than the downtown location and located just off Resources Road. 

And you may be wondering where the name Ramona comes from.

“My mother’s name is actually Joanna and she’s from Greece, originally. When she would take the bus home from school every day, the bus would stop and say ‘next stop, Ramona!’ It was always the desired neighbourhood that she always wanted to live in and that’s where she got the name ‘Ramona’ from.”

Watch EverythingGP’s exclusive interview with George and look at the new location here: