A couple who worked at a Lowell pizza shop as teenagers now own the location where they first met.

John Butor, who along with his fiancé, Lea Glines, both life residents of Lowell, are the new owners of Loven Oven Pizzeria at 1000 E Commercial Ave. in Lowell.  

Butor, whose background is nursing home administration, and Glines, who spent time in the retail industry in assorted roles including management, look forward to continuing the business, which was established in the Region in 1977. The Lowell site opened in 1994.

“Lowell is our home and we’re proud to remain active in the community,” Butor said. “Our business is connected to a lot of happy memories and new beginnings for many people – my fiancé and I even met while working here a decade ago.”

Butor said there are many other great stories connected to Loven Oven.

“We’re going to be honoring this tradition by continuing to deliver great service for our customers and strong support for local activities,” he said. Since its launch, the pizzeria has been a supporter of many organizations through sponsorships, partnerships, donations, and catering.

The restaurant has also been a great source of jobs, particularly among young people for many of whom was their first employer, Butor said.

As teens Butor and Glines worked for Loven Oven. Butor eventually went on to manage the restaurant and oversee many of its operations. Through the years, the couple has remained close with the restaurant’s previous owners and were a natural fit to keep it going.

Butor and Glines said during the next few months, the menu will be expanded but the existing offerings customers know will remain.