Tom Iannarino owns and operates Terita’s Pizza within the Northland space of Columbus, Ohio. Iannarino’s father, Gus, based the restaurant in 1959, two years earlier than Tom was born. The youthful Iannarino grew up within the household enterprise — which solely gives carryout service — and personally runs the shop each day.
PT: Terita’s is about to have fun its fiftieth anniversary. How does that really feel?
TI: It feels nice. My dad began this enterprise again in ’59 on a spur of the second. He’d been within the insurance coverage enterprise. Folks thought it could by no means final, and now right here we’re 50 years later. It’s the one job I’ve ever had.
PT: You’ve by no means labored anyplace else?
TI: I used to be within the fireplace division and did work part-time in a township, however that’s my second love.
PT: What’s the largest problem you face as a smallbusiness proprietor?
TI: The on a regular basis change of the product costs. Each time you flip round a product goes up on you. It’s neverending and it actually hurts us small folks. We simply must take it and chew the bullet, although. Dad drove it in my thoughts to by no means cheapen the product.
PT: How has the recession affected your corporation?
TI
: I can’t actually say it’s been affecting us. We’re all carryout. We don’t ship or have dine-in, and it’s been that manner for 50 years. Folks can seize a few pizzas and feed their households quite than exit to a sit-down restaurant. It’s lots cheaper. I can’t actually complain.
PT: Are you able to share a secret Terita’s has realized after half-a-century in enterprise?
TI: Properly, when issues get robust, lots of people find yourself cheapening their merchandise. That’s a mistake. We don’t try this.
