The new Greco location in east Saint John. Image: Cherise Letson/Huddle Today
With the pandemic creating a rise in demand for take-out and delivery, a Saint John business owner is getting into the pizza business with his new venture.
Sean Fillmore, the owner of the grocery store On The Vine, is opening a Greco Pizza franchise in East Saint John this month.
“I think everybody experienced something a little bit different during Covid. I’m looking at the landscape and seeing where business is going to be moving to or has moved too, and I think there is an advantage there,” said Fillmore. “We had the space for it and we had the location for it so, it just made sense. For what we’ve gone through and what could possibly be coming, I think it’s just a good business to be in.”
It’s been over 10 years since Greco Pizza has had an East Saint John location, so when looking at potential franchises, Fillmore thought it was a good fit.
“Greco has such a great name around the city. It always has, but it just hasn’t had the representation here on the east side,” said Fillmore. “I figured if we were going to be getting into that business, what better one to take than Greco?”
The new Greco location is located on the same property as On The Vine. The building was part of the grocery prior to its major renovations a few years back.
“We’ve gone and renovated the whole thing right from the foundation up,” said Filmore. “It’s all new floors inside, all new siding and roofing and everything in between.”
Though the two businesses will operate separately, Filmore said they compliment each other.
“People are going to come and put their order in and then come in and grab their groceries and grab a pizza on their way out,” he said. “I have no problem being side-by-side, I think it compliments each other well.”
The new Greco will employ 17 people to start off and is expected to open on April 19.
Greg Smith, director of franchise business development for Greco, said the company is excited to have a location in east Saint John once again.
“We’ve seen that area for a while as having the potential and really needing a location like this. There’s been a void there, so we’re excited that this location is going in there,” said Smith.
“Sean has done a great job of preparing a really nice-looking building. When you look at what’s happening in that area in terms of new growth … it’s a real hub for that area of the city. We just think it’s a great fit for us.”
Cherise Letson is the associate editor of Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
