Vito’s Pizzeria had been a staple in Lincoln Park for over 60 years — a place where families gathered after high school proms and childhood memories were made. When Christie Kerr had the chance to purchase it, she knew she wanted to preserve its legacy. Instead of rebranding, she embraced the restaurant’s history, keeping its signature sweet sauce recipe while also adding new options for customers with different tastes
One of Christie’s greatest strengths as a business owner is her approach to leadership. “I always say, ‘I’m not your boss — I’m your coworker,’” she says. “If you want your staff to work hard, they have to see you working just as hard.”
This mindset has created a tight-knit team at Vito’s, where employees stay for years and parents even call her asking if their kids can work for her. She prides herself on hiring high school students and helping them develop strong work ethics — even tying their success in school to their jobs.
“If my teenage employees keep a 3.0 GPA, I give them $25. A 3.5 gets them $50, and a 4.0 earns them $100,” Christie says. “It motivates them to do well in school, and I love rewarding hard work.”
Christie’s dedication to her employees has built a culture of respect and loyalty, something many restaurant owners struggle to achieve.