THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409270140
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: On The Town
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
I sat amazed and watched three sets of clacking jaws devour a pizza delivered one night last week from the new Papa John's Pizza at 2100 Colley Ave., in Ghent.
Known by their scientific name as Carnivorous Eatitallus, or more commonly as Nick, Jake, and Amy - the Flying Martinettis - my three kids wolfed down a 14-inch pizza with the ``works,'' their half of a ``Family Special'' we ordered. The works in this case consists of pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and black olives.
The other 14-inch pie included in the Family Special, which sells for $13.97 plus tax, came with a choice of any two toppings, making it a real deal, since the same pizza off the regular menu is $10.14 all by itself.
Who are these new pizza guys, I asked store manager Anthony Torlone? ``Papa John's was started about 10 years back in Louisville, Ky., by Jim Schnattner,'' Torlone said. ``He's only 31 years old now.''
The franchises must sell as fast as the pies themselves. According to Torlone, there are some 540 Papa John's Pizza operations east of the Mississippi, with one opening just about every day. Six have opened in Southside Hampton Roads since March, Torlone said, and the new Ghent operation, which opened the first of this month in a former hot dog stand, isn't even the newest. One has opened on Western Branch Boulevard in the Churchland area of Portsmouth.
Papa John's pizzas come in three sizes: the 10-inch small, which ranges from $5.69 to $9.09 (with the works, or seven toppings); the 14-inch large ($8.23 to $13.44); and the 16-inch extra large ($11.39 to $17.22). Included in each box are a handful of pepperoncini (peppers) and a small tub of a garlic-butter sauce for dipping crusts.
There are also ``Twice as Nice Specials.'' For example, two 10-inch pies with three toppings for $10.62, or a 10-inch and a 14-inch with one topping on each for $10.72. Papa John's will deliver breadsticks, cheesesticks and sodas, as well.
The Ghent location (627-7272) delivers to an area that stretches from Larchmont to the campus of Norfolk State University, and includes downtown. Another location in the Little Creek East Shopping Center (588-7272), serves the Little Creek, Ocean View and airport neighborhoods.
The business is all take-out and delivery, but Torlone was surprised by the amount of walk-in business the Ghent store has attracted. ``I should have expected it by the amount of attention we got when the store was being renovated,'' he said. By the time you read this a Subway next door should have opened for business.
Speaking of Ghent, the Ghent Business Association will hold its second annual ``Ghent Get-Down'' from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, on 21st Street, between Debree and Llewellyn avenues. The band ``Power Play'' will be on hand, and a $20 advance ticket ($25 at the gate) will allow you to munch and schmooze under the big top set up in the parking lot of the Palace Shops.
``It's going to be a big street party,'' explained Robin Mollands, speaking on behalf of the party. ``We'll have roasted chicken, barbecue, and fried flounder, and a ticket entitles you to all of the food you can eat, with beverages included.''
A number of community organizations will be on hand to pass out information and answer questions, such as the opera, the symphony and performing arts groups, and WCMS disc jockey Eric Stevens will play tunes when the band takes a break.
``Last year we had about 350 people turn out, and this year we're expecting 500 to 600,'' Mollands said. Tickets for the event are available at a number of Ghent locations, including Fellini's, Decorum, Bouillabaisse and Magnolia Steak, as well as Mitchell's Formal Wear locations throughout the area. MEMO: For information on the ``Ghent Get-Down,'' call Mollands, 625-3263, or
Fellini's (625-3000).
by CNB