The History of Klavon's Pizza

While everything about Klavon's is excellent, the pizza is the star of the show. Many say Klavon's stuffed pizza, an original take on the Chicago deep dish, rivals the greatest pizzas in the windy city -- some claim it's even better. One thing is certain: pizza lovers travel regularly from all parts of southern Michigan and beyond just to eat at Klavon's. Despite its relatively obscure location just outside Jackson, the restaurant is doing so well that it must open a second location just to keep up with demand.

This isn't the first time owner Justin Klavon has built a successful pizza place from the ground up. At the young age of 16, Justin took a pizza delivery job at a local pizza shop in Grass Lake. He quickly learned the pizza business and within a few years grasped the skills and expertise to pursue his dream. By 1998, as a young and tenacious entrepreneur, Justin was ready to set forth and open the doors to his own pizza shop. Justin Tyme Pizza was located in Clarklake and brought delicious pizza and sandwiches to the area. He used his knowledge of the pizza industry to help grow his business. His motivation and dedication to his business ultimately led to the success and expansion of Justin Tyme Pizza.

In 2001, the second Justin Tyme opened in Napoleon. Shortly following the third pizza shop opened in Grass Lake. Operating three pizza shops kept Justin on his toes. This fast-paced job excited the 22-year old, never losing focus and most importantly attention to detail.

By 2007, all three Justin Tyme Pizza’s were sold. It seemed Justin Klavon mastered the pizza business, but he dreamt of more. He wanted to build a new business - a sit-down restaurant, a sports bar, offering a new bold and better specialty pizza to the Jackson area. By early spring, Klavon’s Pizzeria and Pub had opened its doors, operating solely as take-out, delivery and limited dine in service. When Klavon's first opened, it featured just seven tables, no booths and a half-finished bar. Within two years, it had grown to what it is today: an excellent destination restaurant that features 17 tables, 12 booths, 30 high-definition televisions, over 50 employees and a delicious “Chicago style” pizza that people will drive miles and miles to eat.

Justin built a great business, but he isn't finished. A second Klavon's -- which will be located at McDevitt Avenue and US127 in Vandercook Lake, -- is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013. In the future, he hopes to help some of his loyal employees open more Klavon's locations, and then offer franchising opportunities beyond that in the years to come.