Athol's Iron Pizza Co. under new ownership
ATHOL — The new leadership team at Iron Pizza Co. has big plans for the future of the pizza joint, starting with a new mantra, ‘local and social.’
Chris Ankney and Lars Hall, the owners of Connie's Café & Lounge in Sandpoint, have partnered with Connie's bar managers; Ryan “Toshi” McCarter, Sydni Lehman, and Ashli Thompson; to take over Iron Pizza Co. after the original owners, Matt and Elizabeth Johnson, decided to step away to focus on raising their children.
Lehman is now the owner-operator of Iron Pizza Co., while McCarter is the entertainment and events coordinator, and Thompson is focused on marketing and communications for the restaurant.
Ankney and Hall have long been interested in acquiring a pizza restaurant and even considered starting their own.
When Iron Pizza Co. came on the market, Ankney, Hall, and Thompson ‘secret shopped’ the restaurant by having dinner there — and were instantly taken by the spot.
“We immediately thought, ‘This place has a really cool vibe, and the pizza is awesome,’” Thompson said.
Now, the Iron Pizza Co. team hopes to build off the restaurant’s existing success and turn it into a "community hub" for Athol, which Thompson believes is something it needs.
“Athol’s at a point where (we) need almost everything,” Thompson said. She hopes to eventually see more local shops and gathering places move into the small but growing town.
Iron Pizza Co. now has community events slated for several nights each week. McCarter is hosting live trivia every Monday at 6 p.m., followed by Taco Tuesdays and live music from 5-8 p.m. on Fridays.
The restaurant also has a bar with 14 taps as well as a game room with pool tables and several arcade games.
Eventually, the team hopes to convert the old gas station in front of the restaurant into a venue space for concerts, including a beer garden with bonfires and outdoor games.
“We want this to become a destination that’s more than just ‘eat and leave,’" Thompson said.
Iron Pizza Co., located at 29801 N. Old Hwy 95, is open Monday through Thursday from 2-8 p.m., Friday through Sunday from noon-9 p.m.
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Have a tip on happenings in the local business world? Contact Hailey Hill at hhill@cdapress.com.
Iron Pizza Co. is located at 29801 N. Old Hwy 95, Athol.