A Time of Thanks and Reflection

[waltertore]

God Bless you and your family Walter.  There is no man happier than he who is thankful for the blessings bestowed upon him.

Thanks Jackie  

[parallei]

Walter,

I think what you are doing, and have done, with the disabled is great!  I also think more folks should be doing it.  I know some folks here in Denver are starting to pay attention.

Are the wages you pay the disabled folks subsidized by the government (I think that would be great), or do you need to pay your help out of your own pocket?

[waltertore]

Walter,

I think what you are doing, and have done, with the disabled is great!  I also think more folks should be doing it.  I know some folks here in Denver are starting to pay attention.

Are the wages you pay the disabled folks subsidized by the government (I think that would be great), or do you need to pay your help out of your own pocket?

Thanks and it is very exciting to hear others are getting inspired via our example.   There is some funding available through The Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation.  Have your friends call me if they like and I can explain more.  Our employees are not tied to any outside funding subsidies.  With tips going into a group pool that is based on the hours one works our employees with disabilities average 16-19 dollars an hour.  This is great as most all of Reno pays minimum wage for kitchen help and keeps them there for years at that rate.  Walter

[parallei]

Have your friends call me if they like and I can explain more.

Will do.  Keep up the good work.

[waltertore]

Will do.  Keep up the good work.

Thanks. Tonight was extremely busy including a group from Italy who loved the pies.  That meant a lot.  Walter

[PizzaJerk]

Thanks. Tonight was extremely busy including a group from Italy who loved the pies.  That meant a lot.  Walter

Pies are looking great Walter, you're a blessing to the industry!

 I can't wait to get my oven up on all fours come springtime and give it some exercise.

[waltertore]

Pies are looking great Walter, you're a blessing to the industry!

 I can't wait to get my oven up on all fours come springtime and give it some exercise.

Thanks My hope is other pizzerias will give a disabled person a shot at a job.  Spring will be here before we know it!  Walter

[waltertore]

Friday night the manager of the Atlantis Casino called and ordered pizza for what he said was a very important VIP that had heard of us.  They sent a chauffer to pick them up and came back last night for more.  We were told they loved the pies. Considering they are fed by the casino for free (great chefs there) it was exciting to have them come to  us.   I asked if he could share who it was and he said no as they are very important people that want to remain anonymous.  Made us wonder who we served -entertainers there for the weekend, high roller gamblers, trust fund kids?

We have a weight watchers center a few shops down and they pack the lot.  I put these up and they are working so far to keep a couple spaces free for our customers.  The space directly in front of our door is a handicapped space.  The shop next to us is vacant and we hope it brings in something food related.  We had an incredibly busy week I think due to our YELP award and just plain old word of mouth is getting around.  It is very humbling to see complete strangers come in to buy our pizza as well as returning customers that are now becoming part of our pizza family.  Our little pizzeria sure is treating us good   Walter

[waltertore]

Tonight was insane busy at lunch and dinner from opening to closing of each.  We had lines out the door, every table full and a never ending line of tickets in front of me.  Our crew did great and we got everything out on time and the pies came out really good.  Then I hear a guy call my name and I look up and it is Doug, who I played music with around the world on and off for 20 years.  He is up here with his band playing a casino for madri gras.  It was very emotional seeing him as it has been almost 15 years since we last saw each other.   It was a magical night of birthday celebrations, family reunions, children's voices...............  We are so lucky to have this pizzeria and I look to my left and I see my lovely wife of 37 years running the register    What a way to enter our final chapter of life!  Walter