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July 15, 2024
OSHKOSH – ZaRonis Pizza, located at 2407 Jackson St. in Oshkosh, is under new ownership, and according to General Manager Dee Drexler, the iconic pizza joint is carrying on the name with pride.
“Things have been great,” she said. “I’ve been working at ZaRonis for about two and a half years. Since Owner Robert (Wilcox) bought the business, it’s been a smooth transition.”
Drexler said Wilcox bought the business from Jon Doemel – Winnebago County’s Executive.
“Jon was great,” she said. “We want to stay close to his roots and values for what ZaRonis has been in the past.”
Drexler said Doemel originally started the business as a Glass Nickel Pizza Company – which was located on Murdock Avenue.
“They moved (to our current location) about seven or eight years ago this October,” she said. “Then Jon changed the name to ZaRonis – he wanted to break free from a franchise and be out on its own.”
The name, Drexler said, combines two things patrons love about the restaurant – pizza and macaroni – hence, ZaRonis.
She said ZaRonis closed for a few months between mid-February to about mid-June during the change in ownership.
“We started with delivery and carry-out before opening the dining area for business,” she said. “So far, things have been going great (since we reopened) – being GM is awesome. You’ve got your normal ups and downs with getting started, but our customers have been great and are happy we’re back open. People like our pizzas and macaroni.”
Drexler said though things are going well, a few tweaks to the restaurant might be in order soon.
“As with any new adventure, you’re always looking to better things,” she said. “We have all the original recipes since Jon was the owner. We’re looking at bringing back our lunch buffet as well.”
Another area that might see a change, Drexler said, is ZaRonis’ delivery area.
“I think we have one of the biggest delivery areas in Oshkosh – we do the whole city,” she said. “We also go to Butte des Morts, and depending on location, we’ve met people who want our pizza at a predetermined spot. We’re hoping to expand our delivery area more north into Neenah as well – if we (can get) enough drivers.”
Drexler said because ZaRonis likes to be in control of its products from start to finish, it doesn’t use third-party drivers like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
“You can call us or order online – it’s always one of our drivers delivering the pizza,” she said.
Speaking of pizza, a quick peek at zaronis.com shows 19 different specialty pizzas patrons can order, including Spicy Zawaiian, Cordon Bleu, Robot Chicken, Za Betta Feta and Meatazaurus Rex.
As for macaroni, you’ll find Macarita, Macferno, Philly Cheese Mac, Bacon Macburger, Garden Mac and more.
A word from the owner
Wilcox, who has a background in finance and accounting, said last September, he started thinking about becoming a business owner to diversify his sources of income – that eventually led to a conversation with Doemel.
“I went to high school with Jon – we graduated from Oshkosh North the same year, but I didn’t know him too well at the time,” he said. “Jon said he was going to close the restaurant in January, and I told him, ‘if you sell to me, I’d commit to what you built – your legacy.’”
Wilcox said he calls himself a “behind-the-scenes owner,” but he has been at ZaRonis more lately to help out.
“I’m not here to tell the staff what to do – I don’t micromanage,” he said. “I’m here to help out any way I can. I want to put people into positions where they can achieve success – that’s what I’m trying to do at ZaRonis.”
A little history
The facility that currently houses ZaRonis, Drexler said, used to be called The Rail – which was a nightclub.
“It went through a few name changes after – the building has a lot of history,” she said. “The bar is the original bar from when it was built. Its history goes back decades – I’m not even sure how long.”
Stepping into ZaRonis, Drexler said, is like stepping back in time – complete with pinball machines, Skee-Ball, dart boards and video games.
“My goal is to get more games in here,” she said. “I think I see more adults playing the classic arcade games than I do kids.”
Community involvement
Piggy-backing on Doemel’s community involvement, Drexler said ZaRonis continues to serve the community under Wilcox’s ownership.
“If you scroll back on our Facebook page, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jon handed out toilet paper and did what he could,” she said. “We stayed closed for quite a while because he wanted to see other local businesses up and running as well.”
Drexler said the restaurant donates when it can.
“Currently, we’re in the works with the tiny home community in Oshkosh Jon helped get started,” she said. “They host a monthly meal for their residents, and we’re hoping to have them use our space here and have their monthly meals with us.”
Drexler said ZaRonis also donates to Father Carr’s Place 2B and Day by Day Shelter.
Father Carr’s Place 2B is a life enrichment center that ministers to the poor and provides family and community activities, while the Day by Day Shelter collaboratively provides temporary shelter, individualized services and opportunities for self-sufficiency to empower the most vulnerable adults in the community.
“Anytime we have something to give, we like to donate (it) out,” she said.
Drexler said ZaRonis also works with the Solutions Recovery Center which is a peer-run organization providing recovery services for individuals and families struggling with mental health and substance-use disorders.
It has hundreds of support meetings per year, events, volunteer opportunities and sober life facilities, Drexler said.
“Jared Swanson, our current kitchen manager, is one of the biggest success stories we have (from the Solutions Recovery Center),” she said. “He was here before I was a driver. He’s gone from driver to the kitchen and now kitchen manager in about two years. He got a second chance and is taking advantage of it.”
ZaRonis is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 4-8 p.m. Saturday.
