Two years after fire, West Newton's Pizza House reopens
Patrons of the popular West Newton Pizza House have patiently waited for nearly two years to taste their favorite pies again, and some are even willing to wait a day longer.
Almost two years to the day that a fire caused major damage to the fourth-generation eatery, it opened for business Wednesday — and customers were lining up to place orders, even willing to wait until Thursday to get their food.
Owner Ryan Hunt said soon after the June 7, 2017, fire that the business would reopen, but he was unsure if it would be in the same location.
“It’s the same lot, bigger shop,” he said Wednesday.
News spread that fans could soon get a fix of their favorite pies — at the same location — leading to celebratory posts on social media.
Even before the 3 p.m. opening, customers were lining up at the counter at 116 S. Second St., just off Main Street.
Hunt greeted many by name, and several told him how nice the restaurant looked.
By mid-afternoon, customers continued to place orders, even as Hunt told them their pizzas would not be ready for pick-up until 10 p.m.
Others decided to place orders for Thursday.
Debbie Comer of Ruffs Dale said her parents used to bring her family to the pizzeria.
She ordered eight pizzas, four large deluxe and four large pepperoni, for a family gathering.
“It’s really different, but really good,” she said.
Sisters Krista Crissman, 18, and Marisa Crissman, 20, and their friend, Savannah Brown, 20, all of West Newton, ordered two large pepperoni pizzas and one large plain pizza.
Marisa Crissman recalled seeing the smoke from Main Street the night of the fire and calling 911.
“It’s a family-owned place. Everyone is really nice and everyone knows them. My grandparents ate (the pizza), my dad ate it,” she said.
“We’ve been waiting two years,” Krista Crissman said.
Up in smoke
Hunt had just closed the business on June 7 when, from his front door, he could see the bright light of flames shooting from Mousey’s Auto Body, which abutted his shop
The fire destroyed the front of the auto body shop, another longtime borough business, and spread to the pizzeria.
The fourth generation of his family to own the pizza shop, Hunt appreciates his customers returning to the business his grandmother and great-grandmother opened in 1957.
“It makes you feel good,” he said.
In keeping with tradition, he noted, neither their sauce recipe nor location have changed in the 60 years since.
“We make our pizza with cheddar cheese. That’s the way my great-grandmother started making it, and I just keep it going,” Hunt said.
Mayor Mary Popovich recalled growing up next to the Pizza House. On Wednesday, she was jubilant that Hunt was keeping his business in the community, adding she’s been enjoying their pizza for years.
“That’s why I’m going to live to 100, eating their pizza,” she joked. “West Newton wouldn’t be West Newton without the Pizza House. It’s iconic.
“I’m just glad they were able to rebuild. I won’t be the only one jumping up and down when they reopen,” she said.
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