The Morning Sentinel

March 6

Madison pizzeria back in business

BY ERIN RHODA Staff Writer

MADISON -- The town welcomes back a beloved pizzeria today.

Pizzarama, located at 115 Main St., officially opens today, with the same sign out front and similarly delectable pizza, but with a shiny new counter and a new owner.

Dennis Wright, 45, was busy turning out pizzas Friday, even though his new take-out pizzeria had not yet formally opened. He'd gotten a pizza request and couldn't turn it down, he said. As he spoke, several people waited for their orders.

Mary Ellen Pinkham, an owner of Country Greenery, a florist shop down the street, stopped in for lunch and said she was "delighted" that Pizzarama was opening again. "We're firm believers in supporting local businesses," she said.

The pizzeria closed Nov. 30 after Ray Sidell of Madison had owned it for 27 years. Sidell had cited financial and personal reasons for closing. The building has been a pizza place for 42 years.

Wright said he decided to reopen the business despite a difficult economy. He was unemployed and saw the building for sale, so he talked with his wife, Darlene, and they decided to make an offer, he said.

"This place did so good for so long it's a shame to see it permanently closed. It had a good reputation," he said.

He installed a new counter, flooring and lighting and applied a fresh coat of paint. But the menu of pizza, sandwiches and drinks remains the same, he said. While the old pizzeria had booths at which to sit and eat, the new Pizzarama offers just takeout.

The business has three full- and one part-time employees. One employee, Becky Paine, of Madison, worked for the former owner for nearly 10 years. "It's really good. I'm glad to be back," she said.

Another employee, Bradley Smith, 23, of Madison, agreed. "It feels good," he said. "I have a good feeling about it."

Madison Economic Development Director Joy Hikel said she was thrilled to have the business back on Main Street. "It is quite miraculous to have it open that quickly," she said.

There has been a mix of Madison businesses opening and closing in the past eight months.

Mill Pond General Store in East Madison, owned by Stephen Pomelow, closed Feb. 22, citing rising costs and less business. There had been a store in that location on East Madison Road for more than 100 years.

Tracy and Rick Kniffin, who own Kniffin's Custom Meats & Smokehouse on Solon Road in North Anson, opened a store, Kniffins Specialty Meat, at 388 Lakewood Road in Madison in July 2009. The store is "doing very well," Tracy Kniffin said.

The Movie Guys, located at 52 Main St. in Madison, started selling consignment clothing in January to diversify and try to increase sales. Business has been "a little slower than I thought," said Eric Hall, who runs the movie store owned by his brother, Scott Hall. But, "I'm staying open as long as I can," he said.

Erin Rhoda -- 474-9534

erhoda@centralmaine.com