LAKE CITY – Big Bear Pizzeria and Deli has new ownership after nearly 28 years in business in Lake City.
Big Bear Pizzeria and Deli was opened in 1996 by Vicky Raymond and her husband. The local pizzeria was successful in the small town of Lake City thanks to its delicious pizza and friendly faces. Those friendly faces are what bought the place.
Alex Fricke, Ben Miller and Nicole Naylor were all long-time employees and managers at Big Bear Pizzeria.
Article by Ben Miller
Fricke and Miller were first approached by the Raymonds nearly five years ago, and Naylor was hired a year later. The original owners knew they wanted to retire in the near future, but then it became a waiting game. Fricke and the others were just happy they decided to sell internally.
The three partners bought the company together and took over operations on January 1, 2024. Even though it was a big change at first, the team is coping well.
“We all have our strengths and weaknesses,” said Fricke. “Ben is more concerned with the bills, he’s constantly checking the bank, his bank account. I’m more there when something breaks, to fix it, so I’m more practical. And Nicole is extremely detail-oriented.”
Despite the change in ownership, not much is actually changing. Big Bear Pizzeria and Deli already has a brand and is fully embedded in the community, so why change anything? The name Big Bear Pizzeria and Deli came from Raymond’s children, who suggested the name Grizzly’s, but that name was already in use by a popular restaurant in the Twin Cities, so they decided on Big Bear. They decorated their restaurant entirely with more than 140 teddy bears.
In addition to the stuffed bears, the menu has fun bear-related names and there are bears in the delivery trucks as well. Fricke understands that this might seem like a gimmick to some, but he loves the brand the Raymonds have built and knows the community likes it too.
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Fricke, Miller and Naylor also made sure the menu remained consistent. They also wanted to make sure all the partnerships that are so important to them, like selling pizza at the concession stands at high school sporting events, remained intact.
The trio was pleased with the community’s reaction to the news. They had been delivering pizza to Lake City for years and were well known in town.
“I know a lot of people in this town and a lot of people know me,” Fricke said. “… It’s been really good. It’s been a huge support. Nothing’s slowed down.”
Fricke, Miller, Naylor and their staff are happy to continue to provide pizza to the community. They are one of the few places in town that delivers, and seeing the customers’ joy is always the best part of the job for Fricke.
“I love seeing the little kids freak out because pizza is coming and seeing all the dogs there,” Fricke said. “They say the mailman is a dog’s worst enemy. I think the pizza guy is their favorite. Every time I open the door, I take an extra two minutes, even when I’m swamped, just to give that dog attention.”
While they are not currently planning any major changes to the menu, they would like to offer a specialty pizza each month in the future that is only available for a limited time. Fricke wants these pizzas to be unique to her restaurant and attract foodies.
“I want to partner with a local taco truck and do a street taco pizza,” Fricke said. “We have the American taco pizza, which is crazy, but I’m a huge fan of authentic cultural food. … Nothing beats that. I’d also love to do a green curry pizza.”
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Sara Guymon is a business reporter for the Post Bulletin. Guymon grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated from New Ulm Public High School and then attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth. While at UMD, Guymon majored in journalism and minored in photography and international studies. Before joining the Post Bulletin, she worked as an editor for the Brainerd Dispatch, covering the city of Baxter and business.
