Again good morning everybody, how we doing today? That's what I'd like to hear. My name is Craig from Big Boy Entertainment. I will be your DJ. Well, I'll be your DJ, and I'm going to pass it over to the MC in just a second. I'm going to introduce him right now, my friend Colin Kaplan. He is an entrepreneur, architect, author, historian, educator, aspiring actor, and tour operator. He runs the Tasty New Haven Food Tours and events. He also runs the Elm City Party Bike, pedal boat, and pedal cruise boats, as well as other tour operations. Colin, do you ever sleep? No rest for the weary! Everybody, thank you! Thank you! Give it up for Craig, he's got trivia going on tonight. Thank you all so much for coming out to this momentous occasion. We are going to be celebrating all day, all week, all year. This is not just a business; this is American history—90 years of one family's amazing restaurant, service, and product that we all get to share in. I think that's a beautiful testament. As you heard, my name is Colin. I hope you remember all the things that I do because I don't. I'm so fortunate to be involved with the Zuppardi family. They have truly brought me in as a family member, and I've always counted them as my other family. They've been there for me in the good times and the tough times, just like a family does. They were there for me during the best times, and my wife April and I, before we were married, had their family’s help. Vicki's father helped me get the engagement ring and our wedding rings. At our engagement party, we needed pizza, and we turned to the Zuppardi family. They have been part of my family celebrations for a long time. In business, I've run food tours and pizza tours. My first-ever pizza tour was a bicycling tour. We bicycled 18 miles from New Haven and guess where we came? Zuppardi's! We've been doing pizza tours and they always include Zuppardi's. I'm so happy and proud to be part of this. We also teach pizza classes with another family member, Jimmy Ormrod. We have so much to teach and share. You guys are experiencing it because of the family's love and their commitment to their community, and I'm so happy to be part of that again. You guys are the community. I know there are people from Texas here who just randomly showed up and now they're part of the family. Find someone to hang out with! I want to bring up Father Jose Marcado from St. John Vianney. He's going to do a little benediction for us and bless this holy day. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, we gather together with hearts full of gratitude, celebration, and appreciation for these 90 years of the Zuppardi family here in the city of West Haven. We celebrate a great American story and a life that aspired to bring a taste of it here to our own country, America. From Dominic, who opened Solo's Bakery in New Haven and brought it to West Haven, to Anthony who expanded and began Zuppardi's Apizza, to the generations of the Zuppardi family who have served so many. They've expanded to our neighbors in Derby and Ansonia, to New York City, and even to Washington DC. We ask you, Lord, to bless the Zuppardi family with continued blessings from those humble beginnings to this day. This place, for so many, is a place of encounter, where people come with joy and celebration as family and friends. Strangers become friends here, enjoying a slice of Zuppardi's Apizza. We ask you to continue to bless Lori, Cheryl, and all of the Zuppardi family, and all those who work with them to bring this slice of heaven to so many people's lives. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Thank you, Father. On a historical note, going back to when Domenico came from Maiori on the Amalfi Coast to America, he was a baker by trade but had to labor his first years in New Haven. He worked at hard jobs, in factories, whatever he could do until he became a baker on his own with his cousin in 1932 in New Haven. They named it Solo's Sanitary Bakery—it's always been clean and well-kept. In 1934, New Haven Savings Bank sold the building to Domenico Zuppardi, and that's how they moved to West Haven. The story might have changed had that business not gone out. Domenico might have stayed in New Haven. They expanded in 1947 when Domenico retired and Anthony took over, renaming it Zuppardi's Apizza, focusing specifically on pizza. Next, introducing the matriarchs of the family, co-owners of Zuppardi's, Lori and Cheryl Zuppardi Pearce. Lori and Cheryl are the daughters of Anthony and Francis. They've carried on the legacy of their parents and grandparents and are responsible for growing Zuppardi's into the establishment we know and love today. They grew up here, living just above the restaurant, spending their youth working in Zuppardi's and their parents' small ice cream shop around the corner. At an early age, their parents instilled in them the values of hard work and family. For Cheryl and Lori, Zuppardi's has always been a place to call home, and they've strived to create an environment where customers and employees feel at home too. Cheryl has taken on the role of owner, manager, pizza maker, bookkeeper, resident baker, and so much more. At the age of 10, Cheryl learned how to make pizza from her father, who taught her that the last bite should be just as good as the first. She has carried her father's wisdom with her over the years. Cheryl has been married to her husband Craig for 46 years. Craig has been the longest tenured employee at Zuppardi's, working there for over 48 years. They have three children: Craig Jr., Sher, and Anthony, and three grandchildren: Junior, Anderson, and Austin. In addition to her role as owner and manager, Lori wears many hats. She is the family's go-to nurse, holding an Associates in Nursing degree from Quinnipiac College (now Quinnipiac University). She is the resident front counter coordinator on Fridays and Sundays. She's also responsible for growing Zuppardi's shipping enterprise to the success it is today, reaching every single state. Lori has taken on the role of event planner, even for weddings, and was largely responsible for planning and coordinating today's celebration. Lori is joined today by her husband Jim, who is an honorary Zuppardi's employee himself. They have three children: Britney, Jim, and Demorie, and three grandchildren: Kennedy, Sebastian, and Amelia. Zuppardi's would not be the success it is today without these two incredible women who live and breathe the true spirit of Zuppardi's family. Next, we have Britney Ormrod, Lori's daughter. Britney is co-owner of Zuppardi's Apizza in West Haven. She excels at dining room service and also manages the dining room and front counter staff. She is a customer service representative for Zuppardi's Frozen Foods and operates the shipping department together with Goldbelly, reaching all 50 states. Britney dedicates her life to her mini-me, her daughter. And now Jimmy Ormrod Jr., Lori's son. Jimmy is the owner of Zuppardi's Pizza Truck, which debuted 10 years ago. The first truck went to a festival in New Orleans, then drove back up. Last year, the pizza truck gave birth to its baby, the trailer. Jimmy also owns Zuppardi's at The Hops Company in Derby and Zuppardi's Slice Shop in Ansonia. During the pandemic, Jimmy instituted the popular 1-hour pizza delivery service. Soon after, he and Colin launched pizza classes, which continue to enjoy great success. Despite his many endeavors, Jimmy always finds time for at least 19 holes on the golf course. Jimmy's wife Vicky has become a huge part of Zuppardi's team, working in West Haven, on the pizza truck, and now behind the scenes. They have two children: Sebastian and Amelia. Craig Pierce Jr. is Cheryl and Craig's son. Craig is a manager at Zuppardi's Apizza in West Haven and the family computer consultant. He is the first to be called for any computer issues, especially by Lori. Craig is a true example of a family man, making time for everyone, and is a dedicated Yankee fan. Sher Pierce, Cheryl and Craig's daughter, has been instrumental in the frozen food business since 2005. In 2015, she focused on expanding the business outside of Connecticut. By 2018, Zuppardi's Frozen Foods had taken off, reaching markets and businesses throughout Connecticut, Texas, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Sher is also well known in the softball community and was inducted into the Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Anthony Pierce, also known as Needes, is Cheryl and Craig's son. Anthony is co-owner of Zuppardi's Apizza in West Haven. He manages the cooking and prep staff and introduced a wide variety of craft beers to Zuppardi's. Anthony has extensive knowledge of food, cigars, and liquor. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and is known for sharing his delicious creations. Anthony is also a great trivia player and is married to Jill, who works at Yale University Law School. Together, they have three sons: Anthony Jr., Anderson, and Austin. Celebrate Zuppardi's Apizza's 90th anniversary with heartfelt speeches, historical insights, and community tributes. Discover the legacy of this iconic family-run pizzeria. Join us for the joyous celebration of Zuppardi's Apizza's 90th anniversary! Hosted in West Haven, Connecticut, this event honors the legacy of a beloved family-run pizzeria. Watch as Craig from Big Boy Entertainment kicks off the festivities, followed by heartfelt speeches from Colin Caplan, a local historian and friend of the Zuppardi family, and Mayor Dorinda Borer, who shares her personal memories and presents a special proclamation. The event also includes a blessing from Father Jose Marcado and tributes from state representatives. Discover the rich history and community impact of Zuppardi's Apizza, where family tradition and exceptional pizza have been cherished for generations. Don't miss the special appearances by Lori and Cheryl Zuppardi, who continue to carry the legacy forward, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the family that makes it all happen. For a closer look at the history and celebration of Zuppardi's Apizza, watch the full video and celebrate with us! 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