I Love Mokena! Settle In for a Slice of History with Beggars Pizza

Welcome back. 

If you live in and around Mokena and savor good pizza and Italian food you've most likely visited or ordered out from on 191st Street. What you may not realize is that the Mokena Beggars Pizza location, now one of 20 in the Chicagoland area, is part of history in the company—and in Mokena.

Back in the early 1990s, like so many of us, Dave and Ruth Susay made the great decision to move their family to Mokena. Not long after that they came across an opportunity to buy the commercial property in our beautiful little village where Beggars Pizza currently stands. At that time it was home to Dairy Queen on 191st Street.

Dave and Ruth, already experienced and successful business people, were able to secure the right to buy the Dairy Queen business if it became available. A few years later that's exactly what happened. The Susays' were now proud owners and franchisees of one of the most recognized names in the ice cream biz. Dave and Ruth may not have realized it at the time, but this foray into the franchise food business would soon serve them very well. Coincidentally, the first Dairy Queen store in the history of the company was opened back in 1940, in nearby Joliet, at 501 N. Chicago Street.

I wasn't around for the opening of the first Dairy Queen, but I was fortunate to be present when the first Beggars Pizza opened in the 1970s.  Angelo Garetto, a well-respected business man and all around nice guy, came up with the idea to convert a closed Arco gas station, at the corner of 127th and Western Avenue in Blue Island, into a pizzeria. At the time, Blue Island was home to many well-established mom and pop pizza places that had been in business for decades.

A few observers questioned Mr. Garetto's chances to succeed in his new venture. I recall a conversation that my father and I were part of, back when the first Beggars was still on the drawing board, not even with a name chosen yet. Angelo Garetto was asked by someone in the group why he was so confident that his business could flourish among so many established competitors.

His reply: "I'm not so worried, whatever happens I will figure it out. I take on each problem one at a time, just like an old Beggar".

Fast forward a few years later, after Mr. Garetto's passing, when sons Larry and Peter took over the reins of the business. With lessons well-learned from their father they expanded the operation and opened additional restaurants, all owned by the parent company. 

Less than a decade ago, Dave Susay (remember him?), was discussing business with his close friend, Pete Garetto. Yes, that Pete Garetto. During that conversation they explored the idea of opening a Beggars Pizza in Mokena. After all, the Susays' had a great location and plenty of business experience. Except this Beggars would be unique, in the sense that it wouldn't be owned by the Garetto family, it would become the very first franchised Beggars operation.
Now, some seven years later, that operation is flourishing. Beggars Pizza, in Mokena, USA is one very busy place, and now many franchised Beggars locations have opened all around Chicagoland.

There's an old saying that goes as follows. "The definition of luck is when preparation meets opportunity." That certainly seems to ring true for the Susay family, including siblings Ryan and Amanda, who are proudly involved in the family business.

And speaking of preparation meeting opportunity, the Saturday Mokena Downtown Market continues to impress us. This past Saturday they eclipsed the 50 vendor mark! I understand calls continue to come in, with new vendors coming on board weekly. 

With so many people coming out to enjoy Beggars Pizza or shop at the Downtown Market we get a chance to show them all why we love Mokena.