By Mary O’KEEFE

After 41 years of serving the community in and around La Cañada Flintridge Georgee’s Pizza owner, George Jacobs, decided it was time to retire. Georgee’s Pizza was the place to go after the game or before Music in the Park or really just about any time. Georgee’s owner was always supportive of the community.

To see any business close, regardless of the reason, is tough; however the good news is the location will not be closed for long. Fresh Brothers Pizza is preparing to open the pizza restaurant doors once again.

“We got to know George over [this last] year. He has been there for 41 years and was looking for a way to retire,” said Geoff Goodman, CEO of Fresh Brothers Pizza.

Goodman continued to stay in touch with Jacobs, letting him know Fresh Brothers would be interested in stepping in if he wanted to retire.

“It’s a great location,” Goodman said. “It’s a great community.”

Goodman said it was perfect timing when Jacobs decided to retire giving Fresh Brothers the chance to move in, filling the pizza void in the community.

“That is what we [have done] in so many communities that we are a part of. The concept was really born out of the South Bay. Our first store was in Manhattan Beach, then [we opened in] Redondo Beach and Marina Del Rey. Just about every single weekend we are doing some community event where we are either supporting a cause, a school or sports. That is really the core of [business]. I think that is why George and I got along so well because we think ‘community first,’” Goodman said.

Fresh Brothers Pizza’s dough and sauce are similar to Georgee’s but they additionally offer a large variety of items suitable for just about every diet. They have a gluten-free pizza crust as well as keto and cauliflower. Goodman added they offer a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan choices, always using fresh ingredients.

Goodman said they take pride in the fact that they have a menu that is friendly to all diets.

Everyone who worked at Georgee’s was offered a position at Fresh Brothers Pizza, and they are looking for more workers, Goodman said.

They are hoping to open in about a month.

Goodman added that though this is a great first job for teenagers or college students it is also a good job for people of any age.

“We are pretty good to our [employees],” he said. “We take care of our folks.”

He said he has teenage kids and knows school comes first, so scheduling takes school calendars into consideration.

They plan on holding several events as they open up, inviting the community to get to know them. Although they are a new business they will remember the legacy of giving that Georgee’s contributed to the community and will work to build on that foundation.

For more information on Fresh Brothers Pizza or to apply for a job visit the website at www.freshbrothers.com.