Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Von Tesmar Cole Emde.
Hi Jacqueline von Tesmar, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Cole Emde
Cole grew up in Rocky River, Cleveland and got a BFA at Colombia College Chicago. He moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2008 and worked as an art handler at MOMA and The Morgan Library. Cole met Jacqueline in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in 2009.
In 2010, homebrewing beer became Cole’s passion. This passion brought him and Jacqueline out to San Francisco in 2014 to open a brewery with friends called Black Sands Brewery. It was a huge success, and a huge learning experience opening a small business which included a full menu and cocktail program alongside the brewery.
The team sold the business in 2019, Jacqueline had their first baby, Selma, and in 2020, just as covid hit, the new family moved back to Ohio and settled in Ashtabula with goals of buying a house and starting a new business. A wood-fired pizza obsession was solidified after a trip to Naples in 2018. This guided the decision to start a Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzeria here in Ashtabula.
Jacqueline von Tesmar
Jacqueline is a fifth-generation Ashtabula native. She went to The Cleveland Institute of Art and in 2004 moved to NYC to finish her BFA at The School of Visual Arts. She worked in fine jewelry and photography.
In San Francisco, Jacqueline worked for a start-up in tech, helped open Black Sands Brewery and kept busy with ceramics classes, jewelry making and many trips up to wine country.
Once settled in Ashtabula, Cole and she decided on the business they’d like to open. A gorgeous location on Bridge Street was available and they jumped on it. Jacqueline then created the Nights & Weekends brand, designed the interior of the pizzeria and developed the menu beyond the pizza. The business opened August, 2021.
Jacqueline had her 2nd baby, Hugo, in 2022, as they settled into their new home in the Ashtabula Harbor neighbor. She manages the marketing and communications, and continues the design and events for Nights & Weekends.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Startup funding was a challenge, though were fortunate to partner with a local, non-profit, small business lender.
We opened at the tail end of covid which made staffing a challenge for a while.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What should we know?
We are dedicated to freshness, simplicity, & consistency. We make everything from scratch. We are focused on using whole foods and doing things right.
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
We specialize in hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas, made to order. They are fresh, crispy, chewy and just amazing.
Our other dishes that have become staples and VERY popular with our customers; house made ricotta topped with chili honey, kale salad with golden raisins & pine nuts, 1/2 lb wagyu meatball and the cheesecakes.
What sets you apart from others?
-Our outstanding Gluten Free pizza dough and other GF options on the menu that satisfies those customers
-Cole and Jacq make everything on the menu, from meatballs to salad dressings (except the gelato!). Made in small batches, everything is always fresh and consistent.
-We source many ingredients from Italy; flour, gf flour, olives, olive oil, tomatoes, cannellini beans
-Our late 1900s building filled with original brick, original tall wooden arched doors, tin ceilings, architectural details, etc
What are you most proud of brand wise?
We have created a culture among our staff that promotes friendliness with each other/and customers, team work and versatility within the business.
Our unique designs by Ohio artist Burrito Breath set us apart and also set the tone for our fun/casual vibe.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We host wine pairing dinners with local wineries.
We have the local brewery make our house IPA
We collaborate with local artist Burrito Breath for amazing designs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nightsandweekendsohio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightsandweekendsohio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NightsAndWeekendsOhio/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nights-and-weekends-pizzeria-ashtabula
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nights.weekends.pizzeria
