In 1995, John Costello incorporated Coz's Pizza and Pub in a small renovated pole barn in Curran Illinois, just three miles west of White Oaks Mall on Route 36. With the help of his wife Carol, and son Tim, a busser and dishwasher, then 14, a Springfield tradition was born. With the focus on private recipe Italian sausage, pizza crust, and pizza sauce as was the signature salted peanuts in the shell on every table, it soon became apparent to Springfield pizza makers that there was a new kid on the block. With booths named after popular sports teams and cozy wood surroundings it became a popular meeting place for golfers, professional people and families. In a few months it was evident the place was too small to serve the multitudes coming from surrounding towns as people trying to get the famous Chicago style thin-crust pizza were forced to use the carry out facility and take their pizzas home. One such family set their table on the hood of their car and dined right in the parking lot. On one particular Friday night, a bartender noted there were 27 people (20 standing) around a 2' x 2' eating pizza in the center of the dining room. In 1999, Coz, after attempts to enlarge the building proved futile with the landlord, property was obtained in the Pleasant Park business subdivision, and with the help of an architect, a new building was drawn up and construction was started in late December. With a seating capacity of 130, and a loft for private parties that sat 35, contractor Vaughn Renfro completed the project on May 30. On June 1 2001, less than 6 months after the first shovel was turned, Coz's opened for business. In 2001, Coz started Coz's Frozen Pizza, and purchased a facilty, again in Curran, and manufactured wholesale pizzas. In 2009, Coz sold the second restaurant and in 2011, discontinued the frozen pizza line when on June 1, Coz and his son , John Tim, opened up J.T. Costelloe's Pizza, Pub, and Grill in Piper Glen. (The name Coz's Pizza and Pub had been purchased by the owners of the Pleasant Park restaurant.) The same award winning pizza, hot wings, Chicago style Italian beef sandwiches and the trademark, free salted in the shell peanuts on the bar and tables reflect the same dedicated commitment to the tradition that started in 1995. June 1, 2015, will mark the 20th Anniversary of pizza making for the Costello family.
