A beloved Hancock County staple is making a comeback, as Steve and Karen Robertson prepare to reopen Galaxy Pizza in early February inside Vastwood Park.
Originally opened in 1981, Galaxy Pizza quickly became a popular hangout for generations of local families. After a series of ownership changes, the restaurant closed in January 2025. The Robertsons saw an opportunity to bring it back and give the community a gathering spot once again.
“We knew the community missed Galaxy,” Karen said. “It was always a place where kids could hang out after ball games or families could grab a bite during park events. We felt like bringing it back was the right thing to do.”
Steve Robertson, who spent nearly 30 years managing Bill’s IGA in Hawesville, said owning a restaurant had been a longtime dream.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” he said. “When the opportunity came up to purchase Galaxy, it just felt like the perfect fit.”
Several years ago, the Robertsons purchased the historic Rosenblatt Building in downtown Hawesville, hoping to open a community-oriented business. They restored the building but hadn’t settled on a concept. When Galaxy Pizza became available, they sold the Rosenblatt Building to another restaurant group and shifted their focus.
Since acquiring Galaxy in September 2025, they’ve been busy remodeling and updating the space. Nearly all of the kitchen equipment has been replaced, and the dining area has been refreshed with new booths, TVs, and arcade games.
“It hadn’t really been remodeled since it opened, so it needed a lot of work,” Karen said. “But we kept the original Blodgett pizza ovens. They still make great pizza.”
The restaurant’s new menu will feature many of the same items longtime customers remember, including pizza, burgers, wings, subs, and fries. The Robertsons are also expanding the ice cream offerings with sundaes, milkshakes, banana splits, and both hard and soft serve options. They decided not to bring back the barbecue, which had only been offered briefly under a previous owner.
Steve hopes the revived Galaxy will become a go-to spot for all ages, from high school students and ball teams to families visiting the park.
“There’s going to be a pool table, some games, and TVs to watch the Hornets or UK games,” he said. “We want it to be a comfortable place for anyone to come eat, relax, and enjoy the park.”
The restaurant is surrounded by amenities at Vastwood Park, including ball fields, basketball courts, a splash park, a lake, playgrounds, and campgrounds. The Robertsons believe Galaxy can once again serve as a central hub for the community.
Karen said the project is about giving back to the place that’s given them so much.
“The stories people have shared about Galaxy are incredible. Some met their spouses there. Some grew up going after games. It really means something to people,” she said.
She also noted that the local band Ole 60 got its start at Galaxy. A few of the members worked there and would rehearse in the restaurant after hours, even kicking around potential names for the group while on shift.
The Robertsons plan to open in early February, depending on the arrival of equipment and completion of employee training. They’ll start with dine-in and carryout service, with plans to add delivery later.
“This is Steve’s passion project,” Karen said. “He’s put his heart and soul into it. We’re just excited to share it with the community again.”
