MANSFIELD — Sometimes, opportunities just fall into your lap.
That’s what happened to Ontario graduate Whitney Schluter, who after spending years working in the restaurant business, was given the chance to own and operate his own restaurant.
This opportunity materialized during a conversation with Louie Sorrenti, who owns the establishment that houses Goodfellows and a pizzeria that was formerly known as Luigi’s. As a result of their conversation, Schluter became owner of the pizzeria and has since changed the name to Park Ave Pizza and Grill.
July marks the business’s one-year anniversary.
Schluter recently teamed with businessman David Yaney, who is now part owner of the restaurant and helping drive the marketing initiatives.
“It’s all going well,” Schluter noted. “We’re getting busier and busier.”
The menu features varieties of stromboli, burgers, salads, subs, appetizers (wings, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, garlic cheese bread, etc.) and of course, pizza. Two of the best-selling pizzas, Schluter said, are the chicken, bacon and ranch pizza, as well as the buffalo/barbecue chicken pizza.
Another popular item on the menu is the signature burger.
“We’ve been told we have the best burger in town,” Schluter said.
The burgers are cooked with a 1/2-pound of fresh, not frozen, meat and served with fresh-cut fries.
Schluter said he enjoys cooking experimenting with different dishes. His culinary skills were recently put to the test during the Shriners Chili and Wing Cook Off. He made a sweet and smoky chili, which ended up placing first in the restaurant division.
Park Ave Pizza and Grill uses locally sourced food. Two major providers include Wayne’s Country Market and Gordon Food Service.
Located at 1353 Park Avenue West, the restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Park Ave Pizza and Grill does deliver and it also offers catering services.
“We can cook anything,” Schluter said.
At one event, he said he made broccoli-and-cheese-stuffed-chicken breasts served with mashed potatoes, corn, and pistachio salad. He even made a cake for dessert. The 24-year-old hopes to expand the business by adding multiple locations within the area.
“Maybe it’ll just be a Richland County thing, or an Ohio thing — who knows?”
An entrepreneur at heart, Schluter has his eye on other possible ventures for the future. He said he’s in the middle of renovating his farmhouse and may consider flipping houses someday. He’s also thought about owning a kennel and becoming a dog breeder.
“We’ll see what the future holds,” he said.
