For over 40 years, Vito’s in Lincoln Park has been a staple in the Downriver restaurant scene. In 2008, Christie Kerr got the opportunity to purchase Vito’s Pizzeria and make it her own and she did just that.

Growing up, Kerr worked with her father and stepmom at their pizzeria in Florida. From an early age she learned the importance of hard work, and values like kindness, respect and gratefulness were instilled in her by her mother.

From washing dishes, making pizzas, serving and bartending, Kerr’s humble beginnings in the restaurant industry turned her into the type of owner she is today – one who puts her staff first and wants what’s best for those around her.

“I think the biggest thing I pride myself in is my staff,” Kerr said. “Everyone from my servers to my cooks to my carryout kids to my dishwashers are just awesome, so I want to be a really good leader for them. We're all in this together.”

When she and her husband Ed bought Vito’s, Kerr knew it was the perfect opportunity to live out her dream of owning her own business, but also being able to raise her kids and keep her family first.

“I grew up in the restaurant world and I love meeting new people,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better career.”

Kerr holds herself and her restaurant to the highest standards of service and quality food. When she bought Vito’s, Kerr wanted to maintain the integrity of the decades-old restaurant, but also take customers’ feedback into consideration. One of the biggest changes she made was adding an additional sauce option to the menu that’s a little less sweet than the sauce Vito’s was known for.

Vito’s puts high-quality ingredients at the forefront of their menu, using Grande cheese, a cheese regarded as one of the best in class in the pizza industry; and California tomatoes, which are consistent year-round, unlike Midwest tomatoes.

With daily specials and a wide range of food, from Italian classics, pastas, burgers, subs and more, customer satisfaction is one of Vito’s major goals.

“There are a lot of families in our neighborhood with kids and it’s expensive to go out to eat,” Kerr said. “When I first opened, I started half-off, dine-in pizza on Tuesdays. Some of the same families have been coming in for 16 years.”

In addition to making eating out more affordable for Downriver families, Kerr does everything she can to help anyone in need. From sending meals to families, fundraising for different organizations and even running her own nonprofit, Brace for the Future, an organization that raises money for children to get braces, Kerr is always looking for ways to be of service to others.

This past year, Kerr opened a second location in Taylor that is carry-out and delivery only and she hopes to expand Vito’s even further throughout the Downriver area.

To learn more about Vito’s, view the menu and more, visit www. vitoslincolnpark.com or call (313) 383-1960 to order.