Powered by Schu’s, fueled by Tim’s Too and located underground between the two well known restaurants is Nardo’s Pizza.
If you’re looking for some delicious pizza topped with creative and fresh ingredients, want to sample unique small batch and locally sourced craft beverages, or simply want to play some pinball, skeeball, or old school video games, this is the spot.
Nardo’s – in it for the pizza. ✌🏼❤️🍕
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Nardo’s Pizza
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Jim Kramer & Renardo “Nardo” Gilliam
Business Contact Information
505 Pleasant St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7248
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
5
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Nardo’s is a new pizza shop downtown St. Joseph. They have hired youth from our school to do work experiences. The employees there love their jobs. They have donated pizza for multiple charity events including The Berrien Conservation Society, Jobs for Michigans Graduates, Bridge Academy, and multiple other charity events. They promote other area businesses vs. competing with them, they use locally sourced or Michigan made products including Alex Veggies, and they help the community and actively participate in a variety of community events. The fun and welcoming vibe, the old school video games, the outstanding pizza, and the great customer service is just the icing on the cake. This business deserves to be noticed!
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
The employees love their work. It’s a fun and lively atmosphere, and the employees are encouraged to invent new specials and menu items and are trained in every aspect of the job, including learning inventory systems and budget management. They also get to eat some of the best pizza around on the house! Breaks often include a game of pinball, and all employees participate in tip sharing. They are like a family there and even help each other out with rides and with life. They also have opportunities to do service work and give back to the community.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
They love the high quality of the food, the ingredients, the atmosphere, the music, and they will all tell you that in a pinch, Nardo always helps them out, even if it’s to collect them from a stranded car in a snowstorm. They all have each others backs and take pride in that, and the quality of their product.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Google or Indeed. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Nardo’s is a can’t miss with its Detroit style pizzas using high quality fresh ingredients, a fun family environment that includes skee ball, retro video games and pinball, outstanding customer service, great music, unique craft beers and cocktails, and friendly atmosphere.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
1. Quality
2. Community
3. Service
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
– Overall Creativity (food, games, music, social media, contests)
– Networking (lots of local community partnerships)
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? Keeps the job fun, everyone cross trained, great music, employee meals
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? Always networking and watching other markets for fresh new ideas and fresh partnerships
C] Keep communications open? They utilize a group text and work closely when at work.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
When an employee needed car repairs, Nardo went to get him and drove him home every day for 2 weeks adding 30 miles to his daily trip. He also got an employees family a hotel room after they had a house fire so the young child had a warm safe place to stay for a few days.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? Tip sharing, fun employee outings, room for advancement
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? They are a small family
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? Donating food, donating certificates and t-shirts, becoming a sponsor, being an event DJ, hosting meetings
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life?✌🏼❤️🍕
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
How much they help youth doing work experiences learn the basics of having a first job. Sometimes it’s more like an extension of the home or school as the youth learn to budget and all the associated life and vocational skills being taught there that will help them throughout their lives.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
1. Community
2. Kindness
3. Purpose
Anything else you’d like to mention about this company, its’ leadership, etc?
This is more than just a pizza place. It is so much more. They help people, and help the community, especially as a new and small business. They build up and support other local businesses, even partnering with other pizza shops vs. competing, for the good of everyone.
