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business sold

Local pizza place bought by Vernon business

Oct 16, 2020 | 10:09 AM

A local restaurant is changing hands — and staying local.

The Vernon-based Pretium Group has purchased Top Choice Pizza on 29th Avenue which has been open for several decades, owned by a local family.

The Pretium Group also owns the Italian Kitchen in Vernon and Wings Vernon.

Pretium president Sherman Dahl said it’s a well respected business.

“We love the name and we love the brand. We’re not going to change anything. We’re keeping the existing staff,” Dahl told Vernon Matters.

Dahl said the transaction was completed Thursday.

“It’s a key acquisition for us. We’re quite interested in the take-out and delivery and this will be our first unit that doesn’t have dine in,” Dahl added.

Top Choice Pizza got its start in 1986 with original owners John and Jackie Corriea, and was sold to Bob Haywood.

Haywood had been partners at Top Choice with Lorne Beckett, but bought Beckett out and Beckett started Jim’s Place Pizza.

In 1996, Haywood sold it to Val and Buzz Heemskerk who owned it until present day.

“As Val would say, they built a tremendous business based on consistent quality and good price. It’s that simple,” said Dahl. “She’s lived with the mandate, keep it simple.”

Dahl says the business doesn’t even put a logo on their pizza box as it’s viewed as a waste of money, and not needed.

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