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 provides carryout service — and personally runs the shop day by day.
PT: Terita’s is about to rejoice 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 might 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 wherever 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 most important 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 individuals. We simply need to 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 what you are promoting?
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 approach for 50 years. Folks can seize a few pizzas and feed their households slightly than exit to a sit-down restaurant. It’s quite a bit cheaper. I can’t actually complain.
PT: Are you able to share a secret Terita’s has discovered after half-a-century in enterprise?
TI: Nicely, when issues get powerful, lots of people find yourself cheapening their merchandise. That’s a mistake. We don’t do this.
