Today we’d like to introduce you to Val Gaspar
Hi Val, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This is our story on our website:
It began in 1975 with a “Pizzazz” idea by John and Marie Spiccia. Why Pizzazz? It was Mr. Spiccia’s lingo back in the day: It’s hip, it’s cool, it’s PIZZAZZ! And so Pizzazz Pizza was born.
With his business savvy and his wife’s delicious recipes Pizzazz was soon be the place to be — and it still is! Pizzazz became known for its excellent pizza, out-of-this-world calzones and enormous entrees. The Spiccia’s hard work, generosity, and Pizzazz’s delicious food at great prices kept customers coming back again and again. Pizzazz S.O.M. was owned and operated by the Spiccia’s and son Johnny through 2008.
OUR STORY BEGINS HERE:
Today, the Pizzazz tradition is proudly carried on by Mark and Val Gaspar. The Gaspars — like the Spiccias — have a true love for the restaurant business and Pizzazz in particular.
For Mark, it started in 1984 when he entered the Pizzazz family as a bus boy at age 14. Working his way up through the ranks (and the years), the Spiccias literally became his second family.
He eventually helped David Spiccia (son of John and Marie) open and manage “the new” Pizzazz Fairmount, at University Heights, in 1992. Hang around Mark for a short time and you’re sure to hear him say, “I just love making pizza and I’m the best!” The dream to have a pizza shop of his own one day was no secret, and for him the opportunity to operate Pizzazz is the ultimate dream come true.
For Val, love of the restaurant business began at age 16 when she began working as a hostess at Sussex Fish & Chips in 1990 (then owned by her sister and brother- in-law).
As luck would have it, Val began her college career at John Carroll University — just across the street from the new Pizzazz — in 1992. In 1993 she joined the Pizzazz family as a hostess and eventually a server while earning her degree in finance. David and the rest of the Spiccia family served as role models which solidified her desire to be a restaurant owner herself one day.
“I always tell people our Pizzazz story,” says Val. “In more ways than one, our lives would not be the same without Pizzazz. It’s where we met, it’s where we were inspired and it’s what we love. We are honored to carry on the Pizzazz tradition. Mr. Spiccia got it just right; it sure gave our lives PIZZAZZ!”
Together, Mark and Val continue growing the Pizzazz legacy, rolling out a Pizzazz Food Truck in 2019 that’s available to bring a taste of Pizzazz to private or public events.
(For Food Truck bookings & info call 440-461-2233.)
Stop by Pizzazz today for pick-up, dine-in, catering or delivery, and experience the hospitality and attention to detail that Mark and Val bring to the table (literally) every day.
Additionally: I grew up around family business my whole life. My Grandfather, Peter Vitantonio, owned and operated Wickliffe Winery , Wickliffe Floral, The U-Bar (along with my Aunt Viola Cirno) and owned property around the Wickliffe area and beyond. My Dad, Dr. Louis J. Vitantonio, had his own dental practice that he started from the ground up, my Mom (Dorothy Vitantoinio) working along side him as his office manager, my brother, Peter Vitantonio, had his own accounting and financial advising firm, and my sister, Denise (Vitantonio) Suglia, owned Sussex Seafood.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has rarely been smooth sailing and we know that it rarely will be. Beginning with finding creative ways to obtain financing to purchase the business, to negotiating the lease and eventually purchasing the building, to updating the building interior and exterior, to constant repairs and maintenance, to the unexplainable struggles during the Covid years where we had to re-invent our business and operate with constant understaffing. to day to day struggles due to consistently increasing labor and supply costs, to the never ending monitoring of our staff, customer service and product quality. The restaurant business will never be a smooth road, but it is very rewarding none the less.
We’ve been impressed with Pizzazz Pizza – Mayfield Village, 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?
We are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year! We are an Italian restaurant in Mayfield Village, OH. We specialize in dine in, carry out, catering, delivery and offer a full service food truck. We also operate various local city concessions stands, seasonally. Our Pizzazz menu staples our pizza, one of a kind calzones, and salads (in particular the grilled chicken salad and our “famous” house Italian dressing. We have a wide variety of menu options in the categories of pizza and toppings, calzones, chicken and eggplant entrees, pasta, salad, subs, appetizers, and desserts. We offer beer, wine and full liquor service. Our catering menu offers full and half sheet pizzas, party size calzones, salad and pasta tins, catered appetizers, boxed lunches, entrees and more. We offer pick up, delivery or casual full service catering options. A Slice of Pizzazz food truck will be seen around town at local concerts and other public events & is also available for any private event, including anything from business lunches to graduation parties. We do our very best to cater to our patron’s specific needs, no matter the circumstance.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Mark and I both love to read. We were big fans during the Harry Potter craze and have been reading regularly ever since. I generally prefer historical fiction. I do like to use apps, in general, and often use Notes and List Ease to stay organized and keep track of things that we have done or would like to do.
Pricing:
- Arancini Appetizer $9.50
- Large Cheese Pizza $15.25
- Alfredo Chicken & Broccoli with Dinner Salad & Focaccia $17.50
- Small Grilled Chicken Salad $11.50
- Pepperoni & Cheese Calzone $12.50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PizzazzPizzeria.com
- Instagram: pizzazzpizzeria
- Facebook: Pizzazz Pizza Mayfield Village
