(Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

A decade of dough

TJ’s Pizza in Melfort celebrates 10 years

Oct 4, 2019 | 5:09 PM

It all began by accident.

TJ’s Pizza in Melfort is celebrating their 10th anniversary this month, but owners Lloyd and Tara Muntain hadn’t planned on getting into the pizza game originally.

The store location was already being set up when the prospective owner had another job opportunity.

That’s when Lloyd and Tara stepped in to make TJ’s a reality in Melfort.

“We accidentally stumbled across that [opportunity] and after a few months of talks and helping them get things set up and understanding what the franchise was all about, this is what it became for Tara and myself,” Lloyd said.

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The Muntains are big believers in paying the support they receive forward through local sponsorships and donations, including the organization of their annual pizza-eating contest, with all money raised going to Telemiracle.

“It’s a win-win situation where we’re patting the community’s back, Melfort and area are patting us on the back,” Lloyd said.

Tara agreed.

“[Giving back is] a responsibility, but it’s a responsibility that we’re proud and honoured to be able to do,” she said.

The support isn’t only from customers. Tara said the local business community is very supportive and encouraging toward each other.

“I know other communities where businesses beside each other don’t even know each other, whereas here… going to a networking night just being able to sit down and chat with fellow business owners and see how things are going for them or for us or sharing tips, and just working together… that’s key in life now,” Tara said.

The decade has flown by to the Muntains, and Lloyd said they put in many 14 to 16 hour days in their first years before being able to relax a little more, giving them more time to be involved in community events.

As for advice to people thinking of starting a business in the northeast, Tara said don’t be afraid to work.

“If you want something to succeed you need to work at it, and you need to respect and be with your community and the people that surround you,” Tara said. “Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

Be prepared to put in those long hours, Lloyd said, and the rewards will be there if you’re patient and work hard enough.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974