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Lemont Man Finds Success with 'Ats-A-Nice Pizza'

"After 24 years, I still love coming in every day," Paul Heatherington says of his Romeoville restaurant.

Business name: 

Address: 334 N. Independence Blvd.

Owner’s name: Paul D. Heatherington, who lives in with his wife, Cathy, and his sons, Luke and Zak

Phone number: 815-886-5200

Web site: www.atsanice.com

Opening date: March 1, 1988

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday; 10 am. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday;  noon to 9 p.m. Sunday

Type of business: Pizzeria/Italian restaurant

Q: How long have have you been in this line of work, and how did you get your start in the business?

A: "Thirty-plus years. I worked as a bus boy, waiter, bartender and cook at Tufano's Chicago for three years. I wanted to be my own boss."

Q: Why did you choose to open your business in Romeoville?

A: "I had an opportunity to purchase an existing business." The location was originally a Turnabout Pizza restaurant, giving Heatherington the chance to buy a business and equipment at a cost lower than starting from scratch. "There's a lot of heart [in Romeoville], he said. "There's a lot of great people."

Q: What makes Ats-A-Nice different from other pizza places in the area?

A: "We serve quality pizza for a decent price. We have a large dining room and banquet room, [and] customers are treated like family."

Q: What's your most popular item, and why do you think it's the best seller?

A: "Pizza — because we offer a large variety of ingredients. The ingredients are fresh, not canned or frozen."

Q: Ats-A-Nice is known not only for its food, but also for its community outreach. How did you get started, and what made you want to give back to the community?

A: "The village of  has been a huge supporter of Ats-A-Nice for 24 years. I have met a lot of wonderful people in town and I have the opportunity to now support their causes ... They helped me, now I take care of them."

Q: Tell us one thing most people don't know about your company.

A: "That we have a banquet facility. We can accommodate parties of 15-125 for birthdays, showers, business luncheons/dinners, rehearsal dinners, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, any type of get together."

Q: Anything else we should know about your company?

A: Ats-A-Nice first opened its doors on March 1, 1988, starting with six employees. Just 22 years old at the time, Heatherington oversaw all aspects of the business. "I would cook, I would answer the phones and I would waiter, and I had one [delivery] driver," he said, laughing. Ten years ago, the business expanded, branching out from into its new dining room and banquet facility. The remodeled restaurant opened on Sept. 11, 2001, Heatherington said. "We've never had a down year in 24 years — knock on wood." Today, the company employs 20 people. 

Greg L. February 4, 2012 at 01:37 am
We are Friday night "regulars". Lots of Lemonters ! This place is awesome - definitely a must if you haven't been!
Spencer D. Smith February 4, 2012 at 02:33 am
I can't wait to try this place. Do they deliver to Lemont?
Carl Churulo February 4, 2012 at 11:35 am
Not only is Paul a down to earth person but his waitresses Charise, Heather, Ryan and his Waiter Tiim are always friendly and make you feel at home. I have even had his cooks come out from time to time to check if we liked our order. Pizza and pasta is great but he also had some really good sandwiches as well.
Amanda Luevano (Editor) February 4, 2012 at 11:59 am
I've been going to Ats-A-Nice for as long as I can remember. My family orders from there almost once a week! The pizza is great, but Paul also makes really good pasta and Italian beef.
Spencer, I know they have delivered to Citgo so it's worth a shot to see if they'll go to the downtown Lemont area.
Rick Sniegowski February 4, 2012 at 02:01 pm
Great place, friendly staff, a reflection of Paul's dedication to keep customers/everyone happy. "Paul's thin" crust is very thin & terrific!
They do deliver to, at least the SW parts of Lemont.
Spencer D. Smith February 4, 2012 at 02:03 pm
Even if they don't deliver to me, I'll still make the drive to try them anyway. They seem like a great business and great people.
Carl Churulo February 4, 2012 at 03:54 pm
Very much worth the trip.
John Piazza February 4, 2012 at 05:52 pm
One of the best places around. Great catering. Excellent beef and antipasto salad. I wish nothing but the best for the Heatheringtons.
Cathy Heatherington February 5, 2012 at 01:56 am
The pizza is hot, the wings are hotter and Paul is the hottest!! xo - C.
Karen-Miller Krapil February 5, 2012 at 02:04 am
WELL... HERE IS MY STORY, CATHY WOULD GIVE ME (AS THEIR BOYS OFFICE SECRETARY) GIFT CERTS. THAT IS WHEN WE (STAFF) STARTED VISITING: THAT’S A NICE" ~ WITH THAT SAID, THAT IS HOW WE STARTED GOING AND WE STILL MEET THERE... WONDERFUL, VERY FILLING PASTA DISHES. THEY ALSO HAVE A WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE! LOVE IT; RECOMMEND IT ~ I CAN'T WAIT TO GO SOON :) MISS YOU HEATHERINGTONS....
Cathy Heatherington February 5, 2012 at 02:47 pm
Karen - We still give the gift cards to the staff at Christmas and end of the year. We love to support the Lemont Schools. Miss all you Oakwood ladies too! Hope to see you at Ats-A-Nice. The boys are grown and working there every Friday night! - Cathy
Karen Kunsman February 10, 2012 at 12:45 am
I have had the pleasure of knowing Paul and Cathy for over 30 years. My family has had a lot of wonderful memories spent in Ats-A-Nice. The best part about eating there is being treated like family. The whole staff goes out of their way to make you feel welcome and appreciated for your business. Treating their customers this way started the day they opend their doors and continues everyday.
Although the Pizza is great--I love the Pasta--if your within the delivery area you are lucky. If you have to drive there you will never be disappointed. Love you guys

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Kerry Erber June 12, 2013 at 07:47 am
Just found it.
rdahlberg June 10, 2013 at 01:37 pm
The dog was just reunited with it's owner. Thank you for your help Lemont Police Department.
EDWARD F WERDERITS June 12, 2013 at 07:40 am
Thanks to the Police dept and Patch,,,
jill June 10, 2013 at 01:26 pm
Was there ever a time when a full day was offered Jennifer? I was in kindergarten at Oakwood aboutRead More 28 years ago and even then it was half day. If you want full day Kate, St Pats/St Al's, St Cyril's, and I'm sure others are full day.
Catherine Stukel June 11, 2013 at 01:58 pm
Let's get real. It is NOT a half day. It is 2.5 hours. By the time kids into class, sing a song,Read More have a snack and pee, they are done for the day. Sorry. Calling a spade a spade on this one.
Ann Oyed June 11, 2013 at 02:58 pm
Is this question really from a teacher? Full-day kindergarTen has a lot of fillers too: they eatRead More lunch, go outside, go to the bathroom, etc. I don't think our public schools allow snacks in the classroom anyway. Any teacher would know that learning starts at home, and a teacher would know how to supplement a kindergarten curriculum.