Today we’d like to introduce you to Ada Owens.
Hi Ada, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My husband, Graham, and I moved to St. Simons Island in the fall of 2012 and bought CJ’s Italian Restaurant from Terry Gironda. CJ’s has been a part of the community since 1988, and it already held special meaning for us because Graham had worked there in high school. I had a background in marketing and advertising and had also worked in restaurants throughout high school and college, so in many ways it felt like a natural fit. Graham knew how to make pizzas from his time at CJ’s, and together we felt excited to step into something that combined our skills and experience.
Of course, we did not fully understand at the time just how demanding restaurant life can be or how much of your time and energy it requires. But CJ’s has truly become part of our family, and we do not think twice anymore about doing whatever needs to be done. Even our kids are involved now, and they love being part of the restaurant and its crew.
One of the things we have always loved most about CJ’s is the opportunity it gives us to be involved in the community. Whether through our children’s schools, local recreation programs, or simply donating pizzas, we have always tried to find ways to serve and contribute—not just from a business or marketing perspective, but in a real and personal way. We love this community deeply, and we are so grateful for the support and love it has shown our family over the years. We have always wanted to give that back, and then some.
Probably the clearest and most meaningful example of that came in 2023, when our oldest son became very sick with a condition called PANS. During that incredibly difficult season, this community surrounded us with support. We received calls, texts, emails, and visits from people who showed up for us in every way they could—through prayers, hugs, practical help, and financial support. I truly do not know what we would have done without the love and care that carried us through that time.
At this point, CJ’s is about so much more than pizza. It is about family, community, and loving and supporting the people around us in the same way they have loved and supported us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely not been smooth—but honestly, how boring would that be? We really had no idea what we were getting into. We bought the restaurant, and about five months later we had our first son, so we went into that season thinking we were capable of anything and everything. It did not take long for us to realize how much we still had to learn. But that humbling experience is really what made us stronger, both in the business and as a family.
In the beginning, while we were still paying off the restaurant, there were certainly times when we worried about making the bills. But somehow, things always worked out, and people kept coming back. CJ’s has been there for 38 years, but it has been part of our lives for the last 14, and it did not take long for it to feel like a second home. Over time, we genuinely fell in love with the restaurant, the people who work with us, our customers, and honestly, even the pizza after all these years.
Of course, there have been plenty of challenges along the way. We have dealt with hurricanes, power outages, air conditioning problems, broken coolers, and those moments every restaurant owner knows well—like when someone does not show up for a shift and you have to drop everything and fill in. But somehow, it has always worked out.
One story that really sums it up happened just four days after we brought our first son home from the hospital. A server did not show up, and I was running on pure adrenaline, so I decided I could handle it and rushed to the restaurant. I went in thinking it would be just like any other shift and that everything would go smoothly. Later, I realized I was making mistake after mistake without even noticing. One sweet couple who came in regularly told me I kept refilling their drinks with the wrong beverage, but they were so kind about it. They knew I had just had my first baby, and I was more sleep-deprived than I had ever been in my life. Instead of getting frustrated, they simply showed me grace. They patted me on the back and loved me through it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
CJ’s really has a personality of its own. When you walk in, it is the kind of place you remember. We always want people to leave feeling like they had a great experience, not just because of the food, but because of the atmosphere and the people.
We make all of our dough fresh daily, sauces are homemade, and produce is local and fresh! We are especially known for our deep-dish pizza. Honestly, it is one of the biggest reasons my husband wanted to buy CJ’s back in 2012. It is that good. Even after 14 years of owning the restaurant, we still eat the deep-dish pizza two or three times a week. Anyone who has worked in a restaurant knows how unusual it is to keep wanting to eat the same food you make every day, but CJ’s deep dish is just something special. We truly never get tired of it.
What sets CJ’s apart is that it feels personal. It is not just about serving pizza—it is about creating a place people love coming back to. We are proud of the brand CJ’s has built over the years, but most of all, we are proud that it feels genuine. It has heart, history, and a loyal community around it. We want people to know that when they support CJ’s, they are supporting a local business that truly loves this community and cares deeply about the experience we create for every person who walks through the door.
Any big plans?
As our boys have gotten older, they have found more and more ways to be involved in the restaurant, and that has been really special to watch. Our oldest is 13, and he loves to wait tables and interact with customers. Our younger two are 10 and 8, and they both love greeting people at the front and helping wipe down tables.
The best part is that they genuinely enjoy it at this age and think it is fun. Beyond helping in the restaurant itself, they also like to share marketing ideas, which is always fun and creative for us to hear. You never really know what kind of ideas they are going to come up with, but it definitely keeps things exciting.
Looking ahead, I think one of the things we are most looking forward to is seeing how our family continues to grow alongside the business. There may not be one big dramatic change on the horizon, but it is exciting to imagine the different ways our boys may continue to shape and be part of CJ’s in the years ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cjsitalianrestaurant.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjs_italian
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjsitalianrestaurant
