After nearly four decades of serving pizza and supporting community events, Kenootz Pizza closed its doors Thursday as its owners announced their retirement.
The restaurant at 4659 W. 147th St. had been a fixture in Midlothian for 38 years. Owner Ken Keeler opened Kenootz in 1988 at age 23, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, and spent the next 38 years building the business alongside his wife, Diane “Dee” Keeler.
In a social media message posted Wednesday, the couple said their decision followed extensive soul-searching, conversations with family and friends, and prayer. They reflected on the lifelong friendships formed through the restaurant, the customers they would never forget, including some who have since died, and the many employees whose hard work helped shape Kenootz over the decades.
The Keelers expressed gratitude to supporters from across the country and around the world, calling it a privilege to serve the community for 38 years.
Keeler, now 62, said he and his wife had been considering retirement for some time. As owners of both Kenootz and Cooper’s Bar and Grill, 15158 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest, the long hours and demanding schedule had begun to take a toll. Days often began and ended in darkness, a routine that grew increasingly exhausting.
The couple chose to move forward with retirement this month, but not before honoring a longstanding commitment to Project Fire Buddies, an Oak Forest-based nonprofit. At the organization’s annual charity gala on Feb. 7, Kenootz provided more than 200 pizzas, delivering one to each table at the event.
News of the closure quickly spread, prompting an outpouring of memories from customers who described Kenootz as a backdrop to family dinners, birthday parties, graduations and even funerals. Many recalled the restaurant’s popular half-price pizza nights and the role it played in weekly traditions that spanned generations.
Beyond its dining room, Kenootz was known for its involvement in the community. Keeler regularly taught pizza-making classes to students from kindergarten through eighth grade and donated hundreds of pizzas to local events, including National Night Out gatherings. The restaurant frequently supported schools, youth sports teams and parent organizations throughout Oak Forest and neighboring communities.
While Kenootz has closed, the Keelers will continue operating Cooper’s Bar and Grill at 15158 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest. Retirement from the pizza business will allow time for a slower pace and simple routines long deferred.
Reflecting on nearly four decades in business, Keeler expressed deep affection for Oak Forest and Midlothian, communities he credits with sustaining the restaurant for 38 years.
Kenootz Pizza’s final day was Thursday, Feb. 12.
Though the ovens are off, the Keelers will remain in Oak Forest, the community they have long considered home.