Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Nunner
Hi Joe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always loved to cook. But I especially always enjoyed making pizza at home. I installed a wood burning pizza oven in my back yard and the passion grew even stronger. In 2017 I was working full time as a regional sales manager in the sign industry. I traveled every week and when I was home on the weekends, I enjoyed making pizza for friends and family. I was very close to starting a pizza truck business when a small brick and mortar space became available 1.5 miles from my my home. I quit my job and opened Joe’s Pizza Napoli in April of 2018. Next year will be our 8th year in business.
I never forgot about the pizza truck idea. For our 5 year anniversary of being in business I designed and built a pizza truck which has turned into a successful business. We are planning our second brick and mortar location in 2025.
We also have a thriving retail side of business. We sell Joe’s Pizza Napoli, Dough, Sauce, Salad Dressing, Pistachio Pesto and Calabrian Chili Oil in stores and our Milford location.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We were fortunate to have a solid support customer base from the start. Friends, neighbors and family really helped us get off to a solid start. And we still appreciate all the support to this day. We didn’t know what to expect when Covid hit but that support from Milford, Cincinnati and all who follow us really got us through it. Closing our dine-in option was unexpected and unnerving but the support didn’t let us fail. In fact, sales went up just through carry-out orders. During Covid I created pizza “kits” for customers to make pizza at home. The kits were sold in pizza boxes and they included uncooked pizza dough, sauce, cheese and ingredients of your choice. They were an instant success.
I was fortunate to have long time friends and family help my along the way in regards to staffing. I can’s say enough about my managers and team. They honestly have my back and I love the fact that they are so dedicated to my dream.
We’ve been impressed with Joe’s Pizza Napoli, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Joe’s Pizza Napoli specializes in authentic wood fired Neapolitan pizza. I trained with the Accademia della Pizza Napoletana and became a certified Pizzaioli in 2017. Our pizzas are cooked at 900 degrees F in an oven imported from Italy. We source as many ingredients from Italy as we can and support local produce at the same time. We are very proud of our pizza as well as house made meatballs and sauce. The meatballs and sauce are the perfect start to the meal. I named our sauce “Gen 4” as I am the fourth generation with the recipe. And the sauce in now jarred and available in stores.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am obsessed with classic cars and trucks. Mostly trucks from the late 40’s and early 50’s. I would like to incorporate a 1950 Ford pickup truck within the business. I would put our logo on the doors and it could accompany the pizza truck and sell desserts from it. I would also like to incorporate a freezer in the bed of the truck and sell gelato on hot summer days!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joespizzanapoli.com
- Instagram: joespizzanapoli
- Facebook: joespizzanapoli
