Our Story
I have always loved the restaurant business, having started my first restaurant job when i was 14 years old. Although I have always loved facilitating celebrations and gatherings that bring people together in life, it was never my ‘dream’ to be a restaurant owner. As for many of us, the pandemic turned my professional life upside down. When the opportunity to become part of the community in the South School Estates presented itself, I was drawn.
Soon after deciding to move forward with a restaurant in the building, another series of events unfolded. The beloved Trail Break in LaValle was sold as the owners retired. The new owners chose not to carry on the frozen pizza line. This created a need in the community for fundraising and a hole in the locally sourced frozen pizza market.
As good fortune would have it, additional commercial space opened up in the South School Estates building, and the frozen pizza portion of the business plan was born. I was fortunate enough to have a family connection to the original Trail Break owners, and a friendship with the new owners, and have worked for both. Soon the equipment was purchased, much-appreciated guidance was shared, and Old School Pizza was created.
The ’cherry on top’ came when a long-term friend agreed to come on early in the project as a manager and right hand. We had worked together for 12 years earlier in life, and a deep connection and lasting friendship was born Although 25 years have gone by, we have picked up working together like not a day has passed. I couldn’t do it without her.
At a time when many of my colleagues are entertaining the idea of, or fully enjoying, retirement my new dream is unfolding. A dream I didn’t realize was there until the right circumstances presented. I dove in head first with high enthusiasm and the best intentions.
My love of community, people, and facilitating gatherings drew me to this unique opportunity and I have not looked back.