Let's Go Midland: Sanford Pizza

Roger and Pam Riggie, Owners

"Go out of your way to know your customers, if someone new comes in, get to know them as well and appreciate them, if it wasn't for our customers, we wouldn't be here." -Pam Riggie

When community shows compassion toward each other, amazing things happen, and it can all start with grandkids, pizza... and bad circumstances.

Let me set the stage.

Several years ago two very hard working, compassion filled, home health care workers were ready for a change after a combined 40 years of experience in caring for others. They poured their hearts and souls into others wonderfully, and life seemed to be giving them an open door to a new adventure. Little did they know a drive through Midland's village of Sanford would turn into a life changing moment for them as they saw that Sanford Pizza was for sale. It didn't take much convincing as Roger has a passion to cook and bake and Pam deeply loves people. A great combo if you ask me. After looking the place over a few times, they were sold and opened for business on May 3rd, 2013.

After buying Sanford Pizza from Fred and Nancy Lyons who owned it for about a year, Roger and Pam knew they needed to continue in home health care for a while as they watched their business grow at first. This meant some very long days, but when entrepreneurs want something, they make it work.

There is so much to tell about this wonderful business. Of course I want to touch on the delicious food. I truly believe it is some of the best in our county, and I know I'm not the only one. As I sat interviewing the Riggies a customer near by told Roger "You'll have to stop making these pizzas so good! I just can't stop coming back!" Roger said with a smile... "That's the point, we want you to come back!"

One unique thing you will find at Sanford Pizza... is the same cooks every time. You know you will get quality, delicious food prepared just as it should be by experienced hands. Roger and Pam pride themselves in that. They also have many components of their pizza that are homemade. Roger makes the dough every day and the sauce... well that is Grandma Hansen's secret recipe, just the right blend to make just the right taste. Along with your traditional pizza choices there are different monthly specialty pizzas, this month it is Chicken Cordon Bleu, other months have been Chicken Caesar, Pork Carnitas, Roast Beef and Cheddar, Italiano or Dill Pickle Pizza! What an adventure! Not only is the pizza perfectly crafted, but the pasta dishes on "Pasta Tuesday" range from a variety of lasagnas to delicious goulash, alfredos or Swedish Meatballs over egg noodles. And oh boy, on "Wing Wednesday", be ready to have your socks knocked off with some of the very best boneless or bone in wings you have ever eaten, with amazing variety. Tropical Rum, Kentucky Bourbon, Korean BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Sweet Chili, Sweet or Spicy BBQ, Buffalo, Ranch, Blue Cheese and homemade sauces of Funky Chicken, Maple Bacon, Alabama BBQ and Jack Daniels BBQ. I mean, come on!! Oh and the rest of the menu... soups and sandwiches to die for and Roger bakes up some great sweet treats to go as well!

The atmosphere at Sanford Pizza is so very relaxed and family friendly. A revamp on the tables with beautiful work by Ron's Custom Woodwork and Design has brightened up the dining room wonderfully. There are always coloring books and games on hand to keep the customers busy and happy during the short wait for their food and sometimes live music entertains as well. And, what pizza place would be truly complete without a little arcade action!!? Pam and Roger have done a great job making Sanford Pizza a place anyone can belong and feel comfortable.

But now for my favorite part of all of things Sanford Pizza.

Rarely have I seen a business with such wonderful hometown love for people. As I sat interviewing them, Pam greeted every customer that came in by name. She even knew what was going on in their lives. Pam would ask how family members were doing, how vacations went and so on. And when I introduced myself and gave her my name, with a lovely smile she said, I already knew your name.

One Christmas day, the Riggie's grandkids asked if they could go to the restaurant with them to make some pizza. Obliging, as grandparents do, they headed in, although they were closed for the holiday. Before too long they heard a knock at the restaurant's front door, it truly is something like a Hallmark movie, only better because this is real. They opened the door to a family looking for a bite to eat and a place to warm up... and being touched by their experience serving this family, Roger and Pam have opened every Christmas day since. They realized that people need a place open on Christmas. People still need each other, maybe people ESPECIALLY need each other on the holidays. Whether it is simply friends that want to get together, neighbors going through a hard time, or community members that have no friends or family around, the Riggies opened up their arms and became that place on Christmas, no questions asked, where all are accepted and fed and enjoyed for who they are. But there is even more. One morning as Pam was filling the ice machine before opening, she turned around to see the oven on fire. Thankfully she was able to act quickly and put out the flames, but the oven was ruined. A quote to fix it was between 6 and 10,000 dollars... more than they could imagine. Roger and Pam were certain they were done serving the community they loved so much. But soon news stations showed up due to an anonymous call and they were quick to tell the story. (click here to read one news story) As word got out, miracles and kindness started to return to Pam and Roger in a way that touched their hearts forever. One loyal family, the Weingartz, came in with their three little boys in tow, stating they had been praying for the Riggies and they emptied every cent out of their piggy banks to help however they could. Also, one evening a gentleman knocked on the restaurant door. They let the man by the name of Don Chambers in, and heard him out. He was a retired serviceman who fixed kitchen equipment when active and after he retired he worked servicing a popular pizza chain's ovens. He took a look and soon found the problem. He could fix the issue, but couldn't reach it and the parts were still a bit costly. The community rallied and raised enough funds quickly and the Riggie's friend, Wesley Stewart, climbed right in the oven, fixing every part as Don instructed . The oven has been working fine since and the community and friendships grew stronger than ever, interesting how hard times bring good people together.

These acts of kindness propelled Roger and Pam to reach back even more now to the community that loved them in their time of need. Pam said one thing she loves about Midland, and especially Sanford, is that it is a very giving and caring community. She encourages fellow small business owners to sincerely get to know their customers and care about them. Caring for each other is what makes the world go around. The Riggies continue to open each Christmas Day from noon to 5:00. Friends come help serve and the community brings toys and clothes for families in need that may show up on Christmas Day. Pam said she was able to give out every item that was donated last year and any excess goes places like the Caregiving Network or area Foster Closets.

We highly recommend you take a drive in to the Village of Sanford. There is a lot of great food. And a great place where you belong. Sanford Pizza is a wonderful part of the Sanford and Midland community. The care between the customers and owners really tells the entire story. What goes around comes around. If you're just in small business ownership for profit the customer knows. But when you are in it for the good of the people in your community, the customers know that too. When you give, you receive. We all need more Sanford Pizza's in our lives, or maybe the world just truly needs a few more Pam and Rogers.