Since opening in the spring of 2011, the Pizza Pie Café has had little trouble connecting to the Logan community.
But general manager Sam Ellsworth, said there was something missing.
“We were really connected with the community,” Ellsworth said. “In fact, most of our business was from community members, but we really had a hard time connecting with the students and getting them to come in.”
And that’s why, on Feb. 9, the local restaurant launched it’s weekly Thursday karaoke night with DJ Brady McDonald.
And the 9 p.m.-to-midnight event has done exactly what Ellsworth was hoping.
“Our other chains thrive off of the students so we knew that we needed to get them in,” Ellsworth said. “Since starting karaoke night, we now have tons of students that come in on a day-to-day basis, which has really helped the business.”
The event costs $5 and those who attend are issued a wristband, allowing them access to the all-you-can-eat buffet. Elise Russell, one of the employees, said the majority of people on karaoke night are college students.
The karaoke night concept originated at the Provo, Utah location. The manager there proposed the idea to Ellsworth. After Ellsworth attended a karaoke night in Provo, he agreed to try and implement it in Logan.
Russell said that the company’s employees put up advertisements and sent out text messages to raise awareness.
“We were pleasantly surprised to find a long line out the door the very first night,” Russell said. “Our last karaoke night, we didn't send out a text or anything just to see how it would turn out, and we still had the place packed with many people standing to eat. It hasn't died down yet.”
Before the event, a technician arrives to set up the equipment. A TV mounted on the wall projects the lyrics for the singers to follow, and Russell said there is usually a list of people waiting to sing.
“I have had friends who come too late and they never get their chance,” Russell said. “On any given night, you hear solos, a group of girls, a group of guys, or a mix of people.”
While most attendees are students, some community members are coming to enjoy the show as well.
“It’s great that the community puts on activities for the students to get involved with their peers,” said Kirsten Carver, a Logan resident who frequents Pizza Pie Cafe with her family.
Because of its popularity, Russell said the restaurant is considering moving the equipment to a larger area of the business. It will accommodate more people and make it easier for employees to navigate through the crowd to bus tables and restock the buffet.
“It gets really chaotic,” Russell said. “It seems to have been a hit for students. If you walk around the place around 10 p.m., it seems every single table is occupied by college students.”
Betsy Blanchard, Jason Borba, Taldon Bressel, Maggie Euller, Alicia Facer, Curtis Lundstrom and Amanda Taylor contributed to this report.
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