Mozzi’s Pizza on Main Street
Lacey Watt | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — For Chris Lee, a journey that started in the mid-80s is officially coming to a close so she can spend time with family and friends, and perhaps take on a different journey outside of working in the pizza business.
Mozzi’s Pizza started in Greenfield in 1982 and has since grown into five locations throughout Hancock County —two locations in Greenfield, one in Mt. Comfort, one in New Palestine, and the other in Fortville.
Two weeks into the opening of what once was called Pizza Barn, Mark hired Lee to work, and then just a few short years later, they were married in 1985.
Lee said her husband chose to open in Greenfield for their locations because of the potential market opportunities and that her husband went out on a limb to turn the Main Street building into a restaurant.
The name switch to Mozzi’s Pizza came in the 90s, with Lee saying that her husband wanted a name that sounded more like a pizza place in California or New York. A few years later in 1995, Lee said they decided to add on with basketball memorabilia and a sports theme.
“He just had a dream and we made it work,” Lee said. “We made it happen.”
Years later, they decided to lighten their load and sold three of the five locations, keeping the two in Greenfield but investing in partners — Stephen Geyer and Bryan Bond at the W. Main Street location and Rob Smith and Bob Hunt at the North State Street location.
But just recently, Lee shared that her last day with the two Greenfield locations will be Jan. 13, with her and her partners selling their shares of the restaurant.
Lee said that this year marked 41 years involved in the pizza business and turning 60 also played into wanting to sell.
“I’d like to see my kids, so that was the other issue,” Lee said. “And Mark passed away in 2016, so I think it was just time. I had a lot of help after he passed and there’s some great people that I’ve worked with and customers that are amazing. And I still love it but I think it’s time for me to find my next chapter.”
Lee said that during her time she was able to work with some of the best people in the business, including her kids and husband — a great team.
“It’s genuinely been some of the best times of my life,” Lee said.
Jane Barton, GBC Bank Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator, said that she knew Lee because of their children graduating together and playing ball. Professionally, Barton said Lee was a client of hers for six years.
“Chris is an incredible woman – personally and professionally. After suffering an incredible loss, she was determined to move forward and maintain the legacy of Mozzi’s Pizza, as well as continue its growth for the future,” Barton said. “Her perseverance and positive attitude are exemplary! I enjoyed working with Chris as a client but value her friendship and integrity even more.”
Bill Murphy, a retired teacher, said he’s been a customer with Mozzi’s since the beginning and would have his summer class take a trip to enjoy pizza and the sports memorabilia.
“Any time you see something from its inception — from the very beginning — and you see if grow, and you know that the people behind it are really good people, and several of my students have worked there, so it’s nice to go in and see your former students working and being successful,” Murphy said. “It’s just really, really nice and you develop relationships.”
Murphy said that Mozzi’s Pizza has been a real asset to the community and has given many opportunities to those in the community with jobs.
Danny Isaacs, owner of Rocker Apparel, worked at Pizza Barn/Mozzi’s Pizza when he was just 18 years old and said that being given the opportunity to work with them has allowed him to carry over skills and values he uses in his business today.
“They showed me how to run a business like a family business but still get things accomplished,” Isaacs said. “The stuff that I learned at Mozzi’s — how they ran their business, how they treated their people, how they treated their customers — stuck with me through my entire life and I instill those at my business to this day.”
Lee said what she’ll miss most about the pizza business is the friendships and the relationships she has been able to build and grow, but after 41 years, she is ready to do something else.
Lee also said she is in an non-compete agreement, which means she will not be able to work in the pizza business for another employer for the next five years.
Lee said Mozzi’s Pizza ownership will go to Scotty Burrows and decided to sell to Burrows because of his interest. Lee said Burrows plans to operate everything the same and in the same capacity as far as she knows. Burrows did not respond to the Daily Reporter in time of publication.
As far as plans for Lee on what’s next for her journey, she said she is ready to have time to spend with family and to be able to take a whole day off.
“A whole day where you don’t have to worry about anything and you know everything’s going to be OK,” Lee said.
For more information on Mozzi’s Pizza or to find the five locations, visit mozzispizza.com or call (317) 467-2646 with questions.
