Charlie's Pizza

03/08/2022

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More details to follow.

Also, Thank you all for your patience and understanding in this matter.

As Charlie’s itself, there is nothing negative to notify you of at this time. Things are occurring which are private and confidential. This information would give our competitors an unfair advantage at this time if released or discussed.

We, thank you for your patience and thank you all for being patient for what is a long journey.

06/10/2021

Hi,

First, from our hearts, it means so much that you are here and that you are still with us as part of this shared story we know as Charlie’s Pizza. I know that it seems as if the story has ended and Charlie’s will fade into our memories. First and foremost, on a personal
level, losing John and almost losing K, is hard to capture in words. We lost John, a man, who though big, quiet and imposing at first is actually one of the warmest and most generous people you will ever meet. Once you got to know him, the facade was quickly gone and replaced with an hour of talking, laughing and putting his all into every pizza he prepared.

John was at the pizzeria every day, where he made the dough by hand and the sauces fresh daily, never canned or frozen. Most days, he left first thing in the AM only to return late usually around 1 or 2 am. He would be there tirelessly overseeing things according to his keen eye. (50 years will do that, I suppose). John may not have been the best person for an in-depth conversation. However, anyone who has had the pleasure of biting into a perfect red top fresh from the oven knows that his food speaks for itself.

John took immense pride in making sure that the meal you were getting was magnificent. A meal is at the center of so many things and nothing says Friday night like a great pie. He always believed and strived for the highest quality in every order that was produced. For him, that effort was worth every moment of hard work and investment of his time and decades of expertise for you to share your own Friday night adventure with those closest to you. John always reiterated “food is love” and he always rose up to ensure the best no matter what.

I miss John so much and his life really amazing but it was a long, hard road. He never faltered and always did “the hard things” to make sure others had or were taken care of etc. John countless donations to various groups weekly. Even on the hardest of days, he delivered pizzas and leftover slices them to the night staff at Suburban Hospital and occasionally Einstein Montgomery. He went the extra mile to ensure that the doctors, residents and nurses who worked tirelessly to
Care for all of us would have access to fresh pizza to snack on between patients. Whenever someone in our inner circle was in the hospital, John, with the help of his staff, insisted on sending food to their doctors and nurses, to express his gratitude for their care. Over time, this gesture of appreciation and goodwill became tradition and a way of neutralizing fear by showing gratitude. It was incredibly painful for K when she could not continue that tradition while being treated for Covid-19 in the hospital just after John passed.

We miss John and love him dearly. Now, we want to clear the rumor mill and the misleading appearance due to us still being closed as the end of Charlie’s. Charlie’s will endure like John taught us and we have endured. K and I, are like John, survivors fueled by determination, passion and persistence. With the support of our counselors, we have been fighting a war against the glacial pace of things. We are in uncharted territory, which is further complicated by COVID-19. However, we are determined to keep going on our own and together. Throughout every step it was her and I. But that’s a story for another day…

The painstaking legal process moves at at an astoundingly slow pace. The court lag time was especially cruel
as we were literally “stuck” in a holding pattern for many months. We both are doing everything in our power to ensure that Charlie’s will continue for another 50 years.

There will be a tomorrow a ways out and we await the grand re-opening of Charlie’s as much as all of you do. I cannot give a clear estimate of when as it’s “hurry up and stop” and then “sprint then stop” and “wait then crawl” etc. Nevertheless, our shared experience in the restaurant itself is too important to let die. We shall return and we hope that you will allow us to serve you again into 2060+.

Thank you all. Enjoy the weather and be safe.

I think Gen. Douglas MacArthur sums this up best.

05/14/2021

Hello all,

I know there has been radio silence for awhile now. I would not post unless there was something tangible to announce. There are things in motion but unfortunately this whole process is very slow. I have no clear timetable but we have to always know that there will be a tomorrow, even if we lost today. I can not report more than this is going to be a slow conclusion to this chapter. To all of you, who serve the greater good and put all on the line and to those who and are eager for us to return. We first thank you all for caring and serving in so many diverse ways. It has been over 50 years of mutual service both to and for each other. When this path is run it would be of the highest honor to serve you all. John gave so much to the community and to others, the best of us all will be the new entity, or that I am certain. It would be an honor to be there that day.

Our continued gratitude as we push though the darkness. So for now…

03/14/2021

To Our Patrons and Friends:

The outpouring of support and offers of assistance continue to amaze and humble us. We are so grateful for your continued support and investment in our future! Please know that we are aware of your posts requesting updates and information and we are working diligently behind the scenes to bring you into the loop as much as is possible and appropriate given the circumstances. Please check back to this page over the next week for an update which will shed some light on where we have been, where we are going and how the community can support our re-opening! 😁

~ Kristin (a.k.a. "The Daughter") and Johnathon

Please feel free to ask questions privately via direct message and we will respond and/or post information publicly as it becomes available! We cannot do this without you because together we are Charlie's Pizza!

03/14/2021

Yes, we will find a way or make one. The timetable is the part which we are not in control of fully as there are a lot of things involved in making the next step. Many of them are not in our hands but the future is bright and so for the moment we are in “hibernation” and there will be a tomorrow. If it was as simple as open tomorrow, I assure you that would have happened very quickly but that simply was not possible due to the statues associated with a complex case like ours. Factor that in with the backlog to be heard by the court (Covid had things backed up for 8-12 weeks).

Kristin is going to expand more soon, but this is not an end. Charlie’s is temporality closed, but it is not closed forever… I wish I had a time table as much as all of you, but the system moves slower than you can imagine and we are tied to it but again, there will be a tomorrow for Charlie’s. A new chapter in the continuation of the 50+ year story.

I hope that clears the air. We hear you, we are with you and will do all in our power to keep going forward to the day in the near future when we reopen. The best of the old, the best of those of you who came this far and a new chapter hopefully lasting a century this run.

03/13/2021

There is so much to say, share and process in the wake of the current storm both on our end and in the world around us. The emotions tied to sorting through what one is going say in these dark periods opens the flood gates of emotions. We. all off us, are still here and share the common bonds of the human experience.

This is an unknown for us and there is not a direct path but we slowly are pushing forward as best we know how along with private counsel. There is so much worth fighting, in our view, be it our shared and that created the larger entity that is "Charlie's Pizzeria" in that is a or with both and of John's work, dedication as well as commitment to the for over 50 years.

Charlie's in itself also is a beacon in this uncertain and harder time as a reminder of and not only in a great meal but in that every person who has been touched by the food, people or sat and shared a conversation echoes onwards to all. John served diligently in ways I will share bits over the coming days/weeks.

The and of the institution that served the community of the East Norriton community for 50 years+, we aspire to serve as well as foster for countless more to come. That path is worth the unknowns as its more than just a restaurant and it would be a double tragedy to let fade away.

I know there are various paths but do welcome any insight or suggestions via a private message. The more data we have at hand the better we can steer the future, Charlie's is not just ours, but yours in every way. It is because of all of you John was able to do, to give back and make a difference in more ways than i can document. But, that is the goal for us (K and J) to be of service to all in working towards a greater good and continuing that legacy John set in motion when he took the helm of the ship.

To all, thank you and you are in our thoughts and we are truly humbled by your support and thankful for all your posts.

J

03/06/2021

Hey everyone,

I hope this finds you well.

Over these 50 years, Charlie's is something so profound in that it is not just a restaurant. We are fortunate to be a part of the collective narrative of your life's journey. That series of connections is truly an honor and humbling to step back to see the extent.

We have laid a foundation and etched it into the fabric of the area's history. More, we are truly humbled to be a part of so many of our lives, and it is an honor to be part of the journey with you.

Charlie's is more than a restaurant in the end. It is a beacon that says to the world, "We were here," and the idea of sharing the experience as we advance into the next phase in continuing to serve you. Charlie's not just a restaurant, but something donut shop can more, an idea and so many stories. Charlie's is wholly unique in its history and in which it impacted our lives. I know so many lives have a chapter centered on Charlie's. It is something extraordinary, unique, and those stories are priceless. We will hold the line and do all we can.

How things began at this juncture is not nearly as important as how it ends. K and I are doing all we can, but it is a constant battle to get through each step to get us back together and back operating.

Since Nov, we have continued to have to push back daily but the symbol and the restaurant are worth all the back end we are doing to move things forward. It's not just ours but is more yours in the one, Charlie's larger reality, both for John, his father, and all of you who share the more extensive sense..

What is to come on top of what has already transpired is daunting to say the least. But no matter what, since November, we fight on; we have sacrificed and found a way or made one. That's what we do, and we will not let fear compromise who we are, but it will be a long war.

I do not have a timetable as of yet, and there is a lot to come. However, Charlies as a beacon and an echo in time where so many memories were created, we will hold the line and not let go without doing all we can to protect those memories.

We, K and J, thank you all so much for everything.

I will be posting another piece by Monday or Tuesday.

Be safe and be well, everyone.

J

01/04/2021

To all our patrons and friends:

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our longtime owner, John Jackson. Although he passed away on 11/30/20, John’s legacy will not be forgotten. We are currently closed as we take time to grieve and re-organize. We are so grateful for your patronage and support and we hope to re-open again soon! Please check back to this page for updates. In the meantime, please join us in honoring John’s life by sharing your favorite memory of him or the pizzeria.

On Monday, November 30, 2020, John E. Jackson passed away suddenly at his home at the age of 67.
John was born on April 25, 1953 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Bernadette (nee Perotto) and the late Charles Jackson, Sr.
As a young child John lived in several states following his father’s orders for the United States Air Force. Once settled his family settled in PA, John graduated from Methacton High School and went on to study audio and sound engineering in New York City. John demonstrated a passion for music and even traveled with the band “Egdon Heath”. While he was touring, John met the love of his life, Gloria, at the Avalon Hotel in Avalon, NJ. They married on March 29, 1980 and shared 17 wonderful years together before Gloria’s passing in 1997.
John was a devoted husband, dear father to Kristin Jackson (Johnathon Mohr), brother to Victor Jackson, Sr., Charles Jackson, Jr. “Chip”, and Julie Wagar (Jack), beloved uncle to Victor, Jr., Shelly, the late Jacob, Victoria, Chloe, Caroline, Justin, and Angelina, great uncle to Rue, and friend to many. He is also survived by his beloved “granddogs” Dusty and Attila, who he loved to shower with yummy treats and belly rubs.
John was welcomed into heaven by his loving wife, Gloria (nee Parenti) and his daughter, baby Jennifer.
In 1959 John’s father opened the doors to the famous “Charlie’s Pizzeria”, which moved its permanent location in Swede Square Shopping Center in 1963. Just before getting married, John and Gloria took over the family business and created a legendary family favorite pizzeria. Whether you wanted a slice of their famous Red Top pizza or a juicy cheesesteak, you could always count on being greeted with John’s smile and typically a witty joke! Although with his big sense of humor, he possessed a deep desire for success and motivation to the best he could be. John possessed a heart of gold and a gentle but firm way of mentoring and bringing out the best in others. John was known for his immense generosity both personally and professionally as he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and support worthwhile causes.
Charlie’s Pizzeria was honored by the PA State House of Representatives for outstanding service to the community and has been recognized with Best of Philadelphia and Montgomery County Awards multiple times. This just touched the surface of his achievements and legacy. John left an everlasting impression on his family and patrons and he will truly be missed.
To ensure the safety of all during the Co-Vid 19 pandemic, a service will be held at a later date. The family welcomes you to share your favorite memories and stories publically at www.lifecelebration.com or privately at [email protected]. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Montgomery County SCPA at https://www.montgomerycountyspca.org/Page/HowYouCanHelp or 19 E. Ridge Pike, PO Box 222, Conshohocken, PA 19428-0222
Services to the family are entrusted to Boyd-Horrox-Givnish Life Celebration Home of East Norriton, 610-277-7000.