Fiori's Pizzaria making masks to combat covid-19

Fiori’s Pizzaria has now joined the mask-making brigade in an attempt to protect the public during the coronavirus pandemic.

The restaurant started crafting the masks shortly after Gov. Tom Wolf suggested that Pennsylvania residents, along with practicing social distancing, should wear face coverings when out in public.

Amy Rodgers, who has worked as a server at the restaurant for three years, said the idea originally started as something she wanted to do for Fiori’s employees to wear.

But the idea for a larger vision came from Marc Bankowski, who is a manager at the McMurray location.

Rodgers, 60, said when she arrived to work Monday, Bankowski was troubled at his failed attempts to find masks for his employees. So Rodgers offered to make them — while giving them some Fiori’s flair.

“I cut up one of my older Fiori’s work shirts and made (a mask),” she said. “Marc loved it. Actually everyone got excited.”

Please email us at fiorismasks@gmail.com for information and orders. pic.twitter.com/LOInsuOi3Y

— Fiori's Pizzaria (@FiorisPizzaria) April 10, 2020

Health officials caution that such masks are not the best protection from contracting covid-19, but do serve to keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others.

Rodgers said that people who have seen her wearing the Fiori’s mask have given her compliments.

“We have such a great fan base and we love our customers,” Rodgers said. “So we just wanted to make them available to our customers as well.”

That prompted other employees to donate old work T-shirts, and Rodgers “got busy making prototypes.”

She provided a photo of the Fiori’s logo to one of her friends, who in turn was able to print it on vinyl, which Rodgers will use to attach to the squares for the masks.

Many of Fiori’s employees are assisting with the project by donating their old work T-shirts and helping sew the masks.

“Everybody in the shop jumped on board and it’s really exciting,” she said.

Rodgers added that they are only crafting the 3-layer masks from Fiori’s T-shirts with a center layer of non-woven fabric (similar to reusable shopping bags). Little of the recycled fabric is wasted. She said she can make about six masks per shirt.

Fiori’s, like many businesses around the state, has decreased its hours of operation and truncated employee hours as well.

“We’re so grateful that our doors remain open, and this venture will help fill that gap,” Rodgers said.

The restaurant is selling the masks for $15. Rodgers said they are already in high demand and she’s gotten requests from around the country.

“We have a great following. It’s almost like Steelers fans. One lady told me, ‘Even if it wasn’t for covid-19, we’d want one.’ ”

Customers may purchase the masks by emailing fiorismasks@gmail.com.

Once Fiori’s fulfills all of online requests, they aim to sell the mask at its Brookline and McMurray locations.