After a two year absence, Pizza Pizza has returned to Timmins better than ever, this time with a gleaming new store on Algonquin Boulevard East next to the Bargain shop.
The new Pizza Pizza has been opened a couple of days and the new management is very positive about returning to the City with a Heart of Gold.
It’s now located at 410 Algonquin Boulevard East where the old In and Out Two for One Pizza shop used to be.
“It’s all about location in this business and this location is great,” said Karchikmacha Varapu the manager.
“The main thing about Pizza Pizza is we have to be at the right place so have traffic to bring customers and the volume of orders.”
“So now we have a new location and we are doing well," Varapu added. “It is much better than the previous location (at Third Avenue and Cedar South).”
The posted menu is also somewhat different from the previous Pizza Pizza, though the pizza and pizza slice staple is the same. For example panzerotti is now on the current menu but was absent at the previous Pizza Pizza outlet.
A panzerotti is a reverse pizza with the toppings folded over into what can be best described as a super-sized pizza pocket.
“The menu is always changing,” explained Varapu. “It depends a lot on the nature of the public and their tastes and those tastes evolve and change.”
Peter Greco of Timmins enjoyed a panzerotti on Friday night. It was an item he had not seen in Timmins pizzerias for a while.
“It was very enjoyable,” Greco said. “But a bit larger than what I expect – I couldn’t finish it all at the Pizza Pizza so I took half home.”
“It’s well worth going back for again,” Greco added.
The look and feel of the Pizza Pizza store also has been modified from the previous décor.
“We changed the look of the store, it is more spacious, more contemporary,” said Varapu. “The old store was not like this. It was smaller.”
Also the tables at the new location on Algonquin Boulevard East are moveable and can be rearranged On Saturday for example around dinner time, two of the tables for four were put together for a table of eight and a family was enjoying a dinner together.
“This was not possible at the old store as the tables were fixed to the floor and could not be rearranged,” said Varapu.
“This makes it perfect for birthday celebrations and pizza parties,” he added.
Varapu, who is new to Timmins, worked his way up the Pizza Pizza ranks. He previously worked as a counter person, a cook and took management training before becoming a manager of the Timmins Pizza Pizza.
It is his first time in Timmins and he is looking forward to experiencing a northern winter and trying some winter sports.
The opening of the new Pizza Pizza also has created eight new jobs in Timmins and that is always good news.
The hours of operation are Sunday to Wednesday up to 12 midnight. Thursday to Saturdays open to 1 a.m.
The new location is also in a hub of other fast food outlets like Subway and Tim Horton’s. Across the street in the Park Mall is Mr. Sub, Wacky Wings. A little further west is Mike’s Restaurant. A little further east is the McDonald’s and KFC locations and A&W.
Timmins residents and those driving through Timmins to other destinations will have plenty to choose from as they drive along Algonquin St. East. And for those who prefer to order in the number is still the same 705-360-1111.
