Passing the torch: Zēk’s 37 rebrands to 37 Motor City South under new family leadership

BY SAM VISE, THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LAFAYETTE — One downtown LaFayette staple is getting a new look. On Monday, July 27, Zēk’s 37 owners Jerry and Veronica Roesly announced they would be stepping down as owners, ushering in a new era of food, faith and family — this time, under the ownership of the Roesly’s adult children.

“It’s not that we’re not going to be here anymore,” Veronica said. “[Jerry and I] are just taking a step back as far as ownership. We’re going to be walking alongside [the new owners] for about the next year and a half while they are continuing to grow … we’re still going to be here, so none of our ministry and none of the things inside this building are going to change.”

Alex Roesly and Faith Roesly-Sandoval, Jerry and Veronica’s two adult children, will take ownership of the restaurant Aug. 3. Veronica said the last day of business for Zēk’s 37 is Thursday, July 30. The establishment will be closed over the weekend and officially reopen Monday, Aug. 3, as 37 Motor City South.

The restaurant’s new name bridges two distant locations connected by an unexpected thread of history.

When the Roeslys originally opened Zēk’s 37, the name was deeply personal. Drawing inspiration from Ezekiel 37 and the biblical vision of breathing life into dry bones, Veronica said it reflected their mission to serve both physical and spiritual nourishment to the community.

As part of their menu, the Roeslys brought authentic Detroit-style pizza to downtown LaFayette. What they didn’t realize at the time was that their signature menu item would tie into local history in an unexpected way: their shop sits directly across the street from the statue of boxing legend Joe Louis.

Born in Chambers County, Louis went on to become a cultural icon in Detroit. Now, as Alex and Faith step up to take over the family business, the rebrand to 37 Motor City South honors both that unique cross-country connection and the original foundation that started it all.

Veronica said blending the name of the pizza’s Motor City-origin with the family’s Southern home felt like a natural fit for this next chapter.

“[When we moved here] we did not know this is the home of Joe Louis, and Detroit is big on Joe Louis everything,” Veronica said. “So that is definitely a God thing — we opened across the street from his statue with our Detroit-style pizza. The new name, 37 Motor City South, brings ‘Motor City’ from Detroit and ‘South’ with LaFayette, Alabama, together.”

While the name on the front window is changing, the heart of the business remains rooted in the community outreach the Roeslys established when they first opened in April 2025.

Although the restaurant is closed on Sundays, doors open for one hour every Sunday to serve free meals to anyone in need. After serving around 2,500 meals last year, Veronica said she expects to exceed 2,600 community meals served this year, alongside winter coat drives and cross-denominational volunteer work with local churches and high school teams.

Stepping back from day-to-day operations will also allow Jerry and Veronica, who became pastors at Penton Church of God three years ago, to focus on other priorities as they launch the business’s next venture — a pizza food truck that will cater local weddings, parties and festivals on site.

“Ultimately, our next step was to institute a food truck,” Veronica said. “If individuals want us to cater, we can take the food truck out to their events and then cook pizza right on site.”

Meanwhile, the restaurant’s next chapter will be in familiar hands. Alex, a trained chef who recently moved back to the area, will lead the kitchen operations, while Faith will continue heading up the front of house and coffee bar program alongside her husband, Michael Sandoval.

“To see them mature in these past couple months to become leaders is amazing,” Veronica said. “And then to be able to be with them side by side as they continue to grow into these amazing owners that love their community is wonderful.”

As preparations continue for opening day — including window tinting and a brand-new logo — Veronica expressed her gratitude for the local support that made the transition possible, particularly thanking LaFayette Main Street and other community partners.

“It’s still going to be faith, family and food,” Veronica said. “It’ll always be ministry first and putting God first — it’s just changing ownership.”

Veronica said Zēk’s 37 will officially close its doors at 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, July 30. Following a brief transition, 37 Motor City South will welcome customers at 6:30 a.m. CT on Monday, Aug. 3.