Bill and Sabrina Mixon embarked on a new adventure when they bought Greek’s Pizzeria in Upland on March 1.
Before purchasing the restaurant, Bill was a manager at Discount Tire in Muncie, and Sabrina was a stay-at-home mom. Rewind approximately 50 years to when Chris Karamesine founded Greek’s Pizzeria. While working in the automotive services, Bill crossed paths with Karamesine and became his go-to car guy and a good friend.
Karamesine was frustrated seeing Bill working and not getting ahead. He wanted to see Bill own his own business, so when an opportunity to buy Greek’s Pizzeria in Upland opened up, he was quick to connect with Bill.
Together with their daughter Emily, the Mixons have since taken over the restaurant and are seeking to make it the best it can be.
One of the first items on their agenda was simply cleaning the place up and replacing broken machinery. The restaurant had a broken Coke and ice machine when Bill and Sabrina first acquired it. Now it has a new drink machine with additional flavors.
The Mixons have also provided a new and refreshing work environment for the employees. Aware that this is their first time owning a business, the Mixons are intentional about leading in a way that takes their employees’ needs into consideration.
“We have experience being employees who were often underappreciated and not treated well,” Sabrina said. “So to be able to come in here and ask the workers, ‘What would your dream be that we do here? What would make your job easier? What would you like us to do?’”
The employees have responded with their own suggestions, and the Mixons have been happy to implement their feedback.
In addition to working with their employees, Bill and Sabrina have enjoyed co-leading the restaurant.
“The stuff I’m bad at, he’s excellent at,” Sabrina said. “The stuff he’s not amazing at, I’m better at. So we kind of both have different strengths — we’re able to play off of here.”
Since taking over the restaurant, Bill and Sabrina said they have experienced so much kindness from the surrounding community. They look forward to growing closer to the people in Upland, especially the Taylor community.
There is a 10% discount for Taylor faculty and staff, they said.
They ultimately hope to create a fun and comfortable environment where everyone can simply hangout and enjoy themselves. One way the Mixons plan to cultivate this kind of environment is by revamping their patio space.
“We have friends that play music, so in the summer, we’d love to have them out on either a Friday or Saturday night, and have (the live music) out there with the lights and the patio furniture,” Sabrina said.
They also got new patio umbrellas and plan to put cornhole boards out front, Bill said.
Bill and Sabrina said they would love more feedback from the community about what people want to see from the restaurant or what they want changed.
Greek’s Pizzeria is open 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. To provide feedback or simply connect with the new owners, Bill and Sabrina encourage the public to follow them on Facebook.
