Moline, IL – Snowstar Winter Park, the Quad Cities area popular alpine ski, snowboard and snow tubing winter playground announces today with the backdrop of the new Happy Joe’s PIZZAGRILLE™ at The Mills at Riverbend Commons, a partnership with top area pizza restaurant Happy Joe’s, to place a full service PIZZAGRILLE™ inside Snowstar’s Lunar Lounge.

This new facility will offer a specifically selected menu of classic Happy Joe’s pizzas as well as some interesting new menu options exclusive to the Snowstar location. This partnership is aimed at expanding Snowstar’s scope of business and quality food and fun.

Happy Joe's will be opening its new PIZZAGRILLE™ located at Snowstar Winter Park, 9500 126th Street West, Andalusia, Illinois, when the park opens for winter business. Happy Joe's is celebrating their 44th anniversary this year and in order to stay current, this new location will showcase the newest evolution of branding and food selection for the company. This location will support a new ski and snowboard decor, a full-grille menu, a lunch smorgasbord, carryout, Sunday brunch, and seating for up to 360.

“As we approach our 35th year of operation it was one of those opportunities that just made sense across the board,” said Snowstar General Manager Dan McCanna. “[Snowstar] has obviously faced a few serious obstacles, but we feel this is a huge win, not only for us, but for our guests and the Andalusia community as a whole.”

The two sides began talks last January when Snowstar reached out to Happy Joe’s ownership after Snowstar’s upper lodge area was decimated by an electrical kitchen fire. The cleanup has been underway all summer, and the new PIZZAGRILLE™ is expected to be fully operational by the park’s expected season opening this winter.

Jim Bowman, Snowstar co-owner added: “Obviously, we’re thrilled to finally share the good news with the community, and really confirm our commitment to providing an unmatched guest experience for all our visitors, from slopes to snacks. We want the entire Quad Cities community to understand our vision for the future of the park, and this is a huge milestone in getting there.” “We are thrilled to be partnering with Snowstar! It already feels like such a natural fit as we are both dedicated to making long lasting memories of fun and good times for our valued guests,” said Kristel Whitty-Ersan, Co-Owner and Marketing Director, Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlors, Inc. She went on to say, “our family has been a member of the Snowstar family since its inception so this decision to expand there made so much sense for us and for them.”

This move combines two well-known brands in food & beverage and family entertainment. "This is all exciting stuff for me, states Happy Joe Whitty, Founder and CEO. Every time Happy Joe's gets to do something new I get just as excited as I did back in 1972 when I opened my first restaurant in the Village of East Davenport.  Snowstar cares about families just like we do and I don't know why we didn't do this sooner. My grandkids are always out there in the winter. I've seen their videos and heard lots of stories of how much fun they have. Anytime we can be part of something that makes happy memories for kids I am all for it!"

Snowstar and Happy Joe’s will be offering some of the PIZZAGRILLE™ menu items at a ribboncutting ceremony later this fall.

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