Please Help Save Family Owned Jo Jo’s EHT

After weeks of deliberation, and exhausting every possible option, we have finally decided to post this. We have been going back and forth on whether or not to post this because we know many people are struggling right now and don't want to take away from others in need. We also know that though some good may come of this, there will also be some negativity, but in the end, we are trying to do what is best for our family.

Chris always does what he can to help the community. He has donated to many organizations over the past year and a half like the Knights of Columbus, EHT Eagles Basketball team, EHT softball team, EHTHS Project Graduation, and many non-profits that support others in need. Now that he is in need, I am asking that you please take the time to read his story and consider donating, even if it's $1 or just a share.

If you know Jo Jo's, you undoubtedly know Chris. He has been a staple at Jo Jo's for the last 3 decades and has dedicated so much to this restaurant. While reading this, please know that we are embarrassed having to ask for help. However, we have also realized that it is less embarrassing to ask for help than it is to just give up.

Chris has worked for Jo Jo's Italian Grille for over 30 years. He started out working at the Pleasantville location, which is where we met 17 years ago. He started as a busboy, then continued over the course of 15 years to work his way up from busboy to delivery, counter help, and then finally manager. When the Egg Harbor Township store opened up, Chris moved over to that location and continued to manage for 16 years. Sadly, the original owners, who had become like family to him, sold the EHT location. He felt a responsibility to preserve the spirit of Jo Jo's and ensure the loyal customers would continue to see a familiar, friendly face, so he stayed on as manager when the restaurant was sold, not once, but twice. It had always been a dream of his to own a restaurant one day, like his father did while he was growing up. So, when the restaurant was going to be sold for a third time in May of 2023, we took our life savings and a chance, and bought it.

After only a few months of becoming owner, the harsh reality of owning a small restaurant soon set in, and Chris realized why the restaurant had been sold so quickly and so often over the last few years. A small restaurant with high rent and high overhead in today's economy is very hard to sustain. For the last year, while working upwards of 65 hours per week, Chris has dedicated everything to turn things around. He has made many necessary changes like shortening the menu to reduce food costs while still maintaining the high quality and standards that our customers are used to and making the difficult decision to cut staff and work in their place to save without compromising service. Some days you will see him behind the counter answering phones or making pizzas; some days you won't see him at all because he is in the back cooking or washing dishes, but every day he is at the restaurant doing whatever he can to keep the doors open. Despite his relentless efforts, the financial burden from the start of ownership is nearly impossible to get out of without help. It's only a matter of time until Chris will have to close the doors for good and lose everything that he has worked so hard for, along with the livelihood of his beloved employees.

As a family-run establishment, we love involving our younger daughters in the restaurant and teaching them the fundamentals of responsibility, serving, and counter work. They love coming in to make their own pizzas and connecting with the customers and staff. Two of Chris's older sons also work at the restaurant, one as a busser and one as a manager. We had hoped to pass the restaurant down to our children one day, but with the challenges we are currently facing, we won't make it through the winter.

We have tried for small business loans, but can't get one that wouldn't do more harm than good. Selling isn't an option for us because we are upside down in the business at the moment, so any attempts to sell now would only result in more debt. We are at the absolute last resort and are at risk of losing everything. With a little help and all of the changes that are now being implemented, we are confident that we can make this work.

We understand that, like us, most people are struggling so we want you to know that any little bit helps and is immensely appreciated. Any funds raised will go towards continuing to pay our employees in these slow months, back rent, broken equipment, etc. Knowing Chris, once he can get back on track and secure the success of Jo Jo's, he will pay it forward to others in need. We appreciate all of our loyal customers who already support us simply by ordering from us. Your support means the world to us.