Giovanni’s changes hands

RANGELY I In the early 1970s John Payne’s restaurant career began as a dishwasher at Garramone’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado. He soon discovered a love for cooking and pizza-making as well as love for his beautiful high school sweetheart, Sandy. They married in 1975. Tony Garramone taught John the fine art of creating homemade Italian sausage and meatballs, pizza and pasta dishes. John worked his way up to the role of manager at Garramone’s and also helped open and manage Michelli’s Italian Restaurant in Jefferson County, Colorado. 

John worked in the restaurant industry for about 15 years but the long hours were wearing on his young family and in 1985 he changed careers. In 1991, John was given the opportunity to become part-owner of glass installation business SonLite Glass in Rio Blanco County by former Garramone’s co-worker Keith Fitzgibbons. John, Sandy and their teenaged children Jennifer and Jason left the city and hit the road to Northwest Colorado. The family settled into their new life in Rangely. John helped build the new business, Sandy worked at Giant Step Daycare, and also earned her associate degree at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Later Sandy took a full time position with CNCC as a network specialist. Time marched on and 11 years later John and business partner Keith desired a change. The stars aligned and the glass business sold around the same time that Marvin and Alice Boleng entertained the idea of selling their business, Max’s Pizza, located at 855 E. Main St. in Rangely. Sandy and John had always wanted to own their own restaurant. With a lot of leg work, their restauranteur adventure began in September 2003.

The restaurant business in Rangely had its own set of unique challenges. It was much different than Garramone’s in Lakewood. John had to become more adaptable and learn his clientele. He often had to change directions from where he thought he was going. John’s vision of renovating the restaurant’s dining room, menu, kitchen space, and exterior happened more incrementally than he had hoped. The Paynes purchased two clay hearth ovens from longtime Rangely restaurant Magalino’s but other changes had to wait. A year passed before the Payne’s could remodel the dining room, followed by a kitchen remodel, exterior painting and stuccoing, then equipment upgrades in the following years. Another set of challenges was the “boom” and “bust” economy. Sandy credits the Chevron turnaround and its 500-plus temporary workers who swarmed to Rangely in 2017 for giving the restaurant a financial boost during an economic downturn. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Paynes worked tirelessly trying to keep the restaurant in compliance and afloat. The customers caring and support always helped the couple press on and the Paynes have taken pride in providing a place where family and friends could gather for good food. 

The Paynes and their business is more to the community than a local eatery. You would be hard pressed to find a negative Yelp or Google review about Giovanni’s, whether from a local or a drive by patron; the food is just that good and the service outstanding. Giovanni’s is a Northwest Colorado institution. For 18 years the community has enjoyed a variety of mouthwatering menu items along with many blessings from this charitable couple. From Rangely Moms Super Bowl Pizza fundraisers to Rangely Panther Booster Club, the Paynes have found several ways to scatter kindness around local organizations, families and individuals. When the Paynes announced their retirement and plans to sell their business in January, they received an outpouring of love and support from the community, but some were apprehensive about losing John and Sandy and the changes that would follow to the beloved restaurant. 

However, a succession plan was already in place and in even better news, John and Sandy plan to remain in Rangely. Current Giovanni’s employee Samantha Herrera has been shadowing Sandy and John, preparing to become the new owner of the restaurant. Samantha Herrera came to Rangely from the Denver area when she was a teen. She attended high school and college in Rangely and first worked for Giovanni’s in 2007. She married Rangely native James Herrera in 2014 and the newlyweds moved outside of the area briefly. Missing home after the birth of their now 4-year-old son Liam, they returned. Samantha lovingly refers to Rangely as a “bubble in time” to her friends and family back in the Denver area because “there really isn’t anywhere else you can live that is safe, affordable, and still provides opportunities to every age group.” When they returned to Rangely in 2018 Samantha went straight to John and asked to work at Giovanni’s again because she “had never encountered such great bosses before.” 

This is a dream come true for Samantha and her family. Samantha has named the new restaurant Gio’s Family Dining, paying homage to the Paynes. In time the new restaurant will also have a new look, with planned interior renovations and a new menu. Supply chain shortages have plagued the restaurant and she hopes to make some changes in order to provide consistency and different menu options for families. The menu will give focus to American dishes in hopes of appealing to a wider customer base. 

“I am excited to see how some of my new items will be received and just ask for some understanding during the transition. I will be doing specials periodically and will bring back some old favorites from time to time,” Herrera said. She is also eager to give back to her community in the same ways the Paynes have. 

Many tears have fallen in the back office of Giovanni’s as the finality of the transition sets in for Samantha and her mentors. Sandy said “retirement is exciting and bittersweet.” The excitement comes from turning over ownership to Samantha Herrera, who has plans to enhance the menu while keeping several favorite dishes. The bittersweet is missing daily visits, birthday celebrations and special events with customers. “We thank you for allowing us to draw alongside you during your times of grief. It isn’t easy to sum up 18 years of serving you and the joy it has given us. We have grateful hearts for the hundreds of employees who helped us feed you. We are looking forward to spending more time with our families and friends,” Sandy said.

 Herrera is grateful for all of the community support shown to her and had this to say about the Paynes, who have helped make this opportunity possible: “John and Sandy, you two have always been a constant in my life; from hiring me all the way back in 2007 when I wasn’t even old enough to serve beer, to catering my wedding, to now helping me achieve my greatest dream. It makes me sad to think that I will one day walk into the office and not have you two there. However I am filled with joy to think of you on vacation somewhere riding around in the side-by-side. I can only hope to create something as amazing as you have.”

For more information about the new restaurant and for the latest updates like and follow Gio’s Family Dining on Facebook.

By ROXIE FROMANG | Special to the Herald Times