New owner at popular Whitefish pizza place

Fresh dough baking in the oven and homemade marinara simmering on the stove — these are the aromas of a perfect business opportunity for Jersey Boys new owner Jelisa Guy.

The Kalispell native purchased the popular Whitefish pizza joint in February from Kim and Russ Sikorsky.

“I’d been looking for a business venture for about a year,” Guy explained.

She contacted Kim and Russ and spent the day hanging out in the kitchen, watching the action behind the scenes.

“I knew right away it’s what I wanted,” she said. “I love the atmosphere. I love what it’s about in here — it’s fun, relaxed. It’s good music and easy going.”

And it was a well-established business with a solid following.

“The name speaks for itself,” Guy said. “[Kim and Russ] created a name by serving good food.”

Guy is a Flathead High School graduate, well known for her abilities on the soccer pitch. She went on to play college soccer in Colorado and studied nursing and education.

After a few years away from the Flathead, she knew she wanted to get back home.

“I love it here and this is where I want to stay,” she said.

Guy has experience in the food service industry as a server, but was drawn to Jersey Boys more as a business opportunity.

“I like taking on challenges that are not quite in my reach and setting goals,” she said. “It was a good solid businesses that I could step in and learn and grow.”

She plans to expand the restaurant with an outdoor drinking and dining area, add a high-top bar and install booths.

“I want to maximize the seating capacity while keeping the same vibe,” she said.

The vibe is decidedly laid back at Jersey Boys, with music on the stereo and the game on one of two flatscreen TV’s.

This spring the business will add lunch delivery to downtown businesses. Guy recently purchased a Schwinn tricycle with a basket on the back to carry orders.

“We want to give downtown businesses a personal invite for lunch delivery,” she said “It’s about establishing community connections.”

Guy has a good crew of girls running the kitchen, but isn’t afraid to jump in on prep work, take orders or make a pizza.

The menu will stay the same, featuring handmade pizza dough and sauces, and slices made to order.

“The menu is a really good product that I’m not going to mess with,” Guy said.

Her favorite is a slice of classic cheese.

“It has all the flavors that we create here,” she said.

The shop also serves sandwiches, calzones, salads, stromboli and wings. Wash it down with a selection of bottle beers and three rotating beers on tap.

Jersey Boys is located at 550 East First St. and can be reached at 862-2212.