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Richards opens in Monroe

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By Denise Wilson, Staff Writer 6:07 PM Sunday, May 17, 2009

MONROE — A well-known Butler County business has opened a new location.

Richards Pizza co-owners Karen Underwood Kramer and Gayl Underwood Hoelle opened their 2,000-square-foot family-run restaurant at the end of April in a plaza next to Maxi’s Medical Aesthetic’s and Permanent Make Up and Karisma Salon and Spa, off Ohio 63 at 20. S. American Way.

The restaurant is the family’s fifth location. It has sites in that also in Hamilton, Fairfield and Trenton.

In 1955, their dad, Richard Underwood, opened his first pizzeria on Ohio 4 in Hamilton.

Kramer said the family chose to open the Monroe restaurant, which employs 21 full-time and part-time workers, because of its sense of community.

“When I think of Monroe, I think of a community. I don’t think of a township or a bunch of new subdivisions that went up in cornfields,” she said.

“It’s a place where we’re at, like Hamilton, Fairfield and Trenton,” she said. “It’s a real community. It’s not a place where the people don’t know each other. People know each other and they live here for a long time and they’re loyal to their community, and their loyal to their community businesses and everything. We want to be a part of the community.”

Hoelle said another reason they chose to open another business in Monroe was to capitalize on its growth.

“It’s a growing community. If you try going to a stagnant community, I think, it’s hard to come in and make your place,” she said.

“The industry that’s out here, there’s a lot of industry, which I think that’s what’s even nicer here than our Trenton store, because Trenton doesn’t have a lot of industry. So that daytime business is not going to be as strong as out here.”

The Monroe location is going to serve some of the same items that have helped the family business grow, including pizza and pizza pies that include Richard’s freshly made dough, spaghetti dinners, steak sandwiches and fudge.

Hours at the Monroe restaurant are 11 a.m. to  10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to  11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information about the restaurant, call (513) 360-0066 or visit www.richardspizza.com.

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Love Richard's, have for years too. But the Trenton store has a bad rep. I was up there and my buddy told me to just wait until I got back into Hamilton for a steak sandwich, not sure what the problem is with the Trenton store.

Mike
3:33 PM, 5/18/2009

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I grew up in Monroe. G & G Pizza was the best! Richards started business after I moved away, looking forward to having great pizza in Monroe when I return vacationing from Palm Springs, Ca

Gary
12:22 PM, 5/18/2009

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Glad,this Home Owned Pizza business is in Monroe.I went to
"Richards" in Hamilton 25 years ago loved the steak sandwichs.
Went last week got a steak sandwich ,was just like I remembered!!!!
Thanks "Richards"

Happy
8:17 AM, 5/18/2009

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I hope the food tastes as good as the Hamilton place. The Trenton food is terrible!

robert
7:44 AM, 5/18/2009

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I have eaten at Richards since I can remember.Its the best. I had driven from Middletown to the Main st. location, then Trenton, this will be closer.
I would guess "Concerned" works for a competitor, And the Viet Vet and Margret are probably married.
Good luck at the new location.

RET
7:31 AM, 5/18/2009

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