Was there pizza before Riedy’s?

Joanne Williams
Editor

(Cindy Gaedert-Gearhart/TCJ: It was 2015, seems like it was just yesterday, when Dan Riedy could be seen pouring the drinks and visiting customers at Riedy’s in downtown Charlotte. Now, Riedy’s retiring and closing up his business.)

…Sure, but for this mid-Michigan restauranteur, pizza, pasta, and all that goes with it (please don’t forget the breadsticks), is Dan Riedy’s claim to fame.

After 46 years in the business, and some substantial health challenges, Dan is retiring and closing up shop at 219 S. Cochran Ave., in Charlotte.

In its heyday, there were three Riedy’s locations – Charlotte, Potterville and Eaton Rapids, and there was practically no sports team or fund-raiser without Riedy’s spaghetti and sauce, and red-haired Dan himself, slinging the meals.

Lori Dotts, with longtime Charlotte roots (who now lives in Virginia), Riedy’s was “The ‘Cheers’ of Charlotte. You felt comfortable there, and everyone knew your name.” Especially Riedy, who Dotts said supported all of his customers, and community concerns.

“He was very supportive of the Jaycees,” she said. Sometimes, after meetings, members would gather at Riedy’s and Dan would send out new entrees and treats to sample.

Dotts stopped by last October when she was visiting Charlotte. It was in the evening, but “Dan came down and we had a nice visit,” she said. It was like she could pick up at the conversation as if they had just visited the day before, not decades ago.

This is a Tripadvisor review from 2014: “If you ever go to Charlotte, Michigan you must go to Riedy’s Pizza. We went there on a Friday evening, and it is obvious that it is a favorite with the locals. We were joined at our table by the owner, who even introduced us to the Mayor, who was eating there. The bar is fabulous, well stocked with various beers on draft, and we had the absolute best pizza we have ever had…period. I will definitely be returning to this spot.”

Now at 71, if and when he sits down, Dan has time to think of all that has transpired.

What does closing down the restaurant feel like? “I can’t even answer that question,” he said. “It’s like opening the door to Oz in the ‘Wizard of Oz,’” he offered.

In his younger days, the single dad of two boys began and then maintained what he estimates 100 hours a week over seven days.

“It’s 24-hours a day in the restaurant business,” Dan said. When he began, he had no idea how long he would continue. He said there was a five-year plan, and then another, and another…

And then came December 3, 2024, and a massive heart attack that Dan is still dealing with. A Go Fund Me campaign is still out there to assist with the medical bills and the times when the restaurant was not open. Family members and friends helped out. Neighboring Charlotte Shoe Repair held a fundraiser.

Ryan Koehn has been owner of B’s Floral, another of Dan’s neighboring businesses, for six years.

“I think he has a tremendous amount of pluck,” Koehn said. “He tried to stick it out and made the best of it.”

Dan said one of the best things about being in the restaurant business is that you get to meet a lot of people, “more than I know, but people all over Michigan know me,” he said. That recognition also came from the donations of time, money and food he has made over the years. “I didn’t do it for the thanks – it’s who I am; you just do it.”

Now, those folks are invited to stop in and wish him well and sample their favorites from Riedy’s Pizza and Tavern as they have known it. Closing day is Sunday, February 8, Super Bowl Sunday. The restaurant will also be offering a card box for folks to use to pen notes and cards to wish Dan well. 

“Long after his children graduated from St. Mary School, Dan’s commitment to the Charlotte community continued for decades by selflessly providing and cooking for the annual pasta dinner to benefit St. Mary’s School,” wrote Steve Tennes, St. Mary parishioner and owner of The Country Mill. “Furthermore, for decades, Dan provided fresh baked pizza weekly for the children of St. Mary School. The St. Mary community would like to thank Dan Riedy for the blessing he has been over the many years sharing his talents and amazing food.”

Facebook well-wishers are also sending heartfelt words and memories:

Joshua Hartenburg wrote “Thank you for everything, Dan. SOOO many countless baseball and basketball pizza parties there when I was growing up. Some of the best pizza I’ve ever put in my mouth. Charlotte will not be the same without Riedy’s pizza.”

And from Steve Ainsworth “So happy for Dan Riedy, an icon in Charlotte and a well-deserved retirement…”

Cindy Gaedert-Gearhart, publisher of The County Journal said, “My family and I have had a lot of wonderful memories at Riedy’s, and I have met so many incredible people there! Wishing Dan a well-deserved retirement.”

“It’s been a good run,” Riedy said.