Pizzeria in Export holds fundraiser benefitting autism advocacy and research

There was never much of a question over the charity that would benefit from Ginny’s Neighborhood Pizza Joint’s first fundraiser Sunday celebrating the return of warm weather and the 7-month-old Export pizza restaurant and ice cream parlor, owner Nick Juricich said.

“Our general manager, Samantha Leger, has a young son who was diagnosed with autism a few years ago, so it was pretty clear Autism Speaks was going to benefit,” said Juricich, who, along with brothers Chris and Mike, owns the restaurant in the 5500 block of Old William Penn Highway.

“I was really happy about the choice of charity, but the next question was what kind of fundraiser should we have, and I looked out over the large parking lot with all the spaces, and a car cruise was a natural,” Leger said. “I can tell you that the charity, Autism Speaks, has been there for me since my 5-year-old son was diagnosed with autism about two years ago.”

Despite threatening skies during the afternoon, about 100 car and truck owners showed up to help the charity and show off their wheels as a few hundred spectators enjoyed not only the vehicles, but also the Pittsburgh Steeline drumline, a disc jockey and face painting for the children. Some walkers along the nearby Heritage Trail also stopped to enjoy the activities.

Roy Musser of Wilkins Township rarely brings out his blue, chrome-laden 1960 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, but he decided to chance the dark clouds overhead to benefit the charity.

“I’ve owned it for 50 years and bought it right out of high school in 1970 for $800. It had a blown engine,” said Musser, a 1970 graduate of Gateway High School.

Four years ago, he replaced the engine, adding a 383 Stroker that nearly doubled the horsepower from 230 to 425. He also replaced the frame, convertible top and radiator.

“I only have put on 1,200 miles since I did that work. I’ve spent more on chrome for this car over the years than I did on the entire car when I bought it,” he laughed.

Larry Rankin of Pittsburgh’s North Side brought his orange Dodge Challenger Hellcat that he often drag races at nearby Keystone Raceway off Route 22 in nearby Derry Township to the cruise.

“I try to go to as many car cruises in the area that benefit charities as I can. This car has a 6.2-liter engine and has 707 horsepower,” Rankin said. “I can go a quarter mile at Keystone in 10 seconds every time.”

Emily Myers of Murrysville was enjoying the activities while strolling through the event with her daughter, Grea, and two sons, M.J. and Wyatt. Grea, 7, was getting a tattoo painted on her arm by the Juricich brothers’ mother, Becky.

“We’re regulars here, especially on Friday nights, and just love the food. We wanted to come out and support their event,” Myers said.

Nick Juricich explained that the brothers decided to name the restaurant in honor of their late grandmother, Virginia, who was known to everyone as Ginny and used to own the landmark Nigro’s Family Restaurant in North Versailles for decades with her husband, John. Ginny died two years ago, Juricich said.

“We’ve been doing pretty well our first few months here,” he said.