The birth of Rhode Island’s newest independent pizza chain took place Saturday inside Johnston’s newest business.
Sometime around 2:30, Mayor Joseph Polisena performed the official ribbon cutting and issued a warm welcome to Tomato City Pizza saying, “Representing all the citizens of Johnston, I am honored to extend sincere congratulations to you upon opening of your business in town. I would like to express the hope for success and best wishes, now and in the years to come.”
Polisena then told some three dozen people, who jammed into every available space of Tomato City Pizza’s 20-seat dining room to escape the day’s howling wind and cold, “It is small businesses like this that drive the economic engine of our great town.”
Moreover, as Polisena later explained, “Tomato City Pizza comes to Johnston with a unique story all its own.”
First and foremost, Dino Autiello, one of three owners, is the Town Council President of neighboring North Providence.
“I wanted my friend to be here for this special day,” Polisena said with a smile while referring to North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi. “But he’s away on vacation. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure he gets a rain check to come here.”
Autiello then thanked Polisena for his kind words as well as telling the crowd of family, friends and political leaders from both towns. “I want everyone to know that the Town of Johnston was very easy to work with in regards to opening our second location of Tomato City Pizza.”
People also learned that while Autiello brings a special connection to the two towns – which have continued working together in a number of areas – it was kind of ironic how “we came here to 1501 Hartford Avenue and decided this would be a great spot to do business in Johnston.”
“We were looking for a second location,” Autiello said. “We stopped here one day to get a Del’s Lemonade and agreed that this place is the perfect size for our operation.”
The business is owned and operated by Autiello, Nick Bianco and Paul Pistacchio, who graduated together from North Providence High School in 2000 and four years ago bought the Tomato City Pizza that’s located 1041 Douglas Ave. in Providence and has become well known for its bakery style pizza.
Moreover, as Autiello explained, “Nick and Paul have lots of family here so Johnston seemed like a natural for us to expand our business.”
Bianco and Pistacchio actually were delivery boys for Tomato City Pizza, which officially opened 20 years ago. After Autiello graduated from URI, he got back together with Bianco, who went to Bryant University and Pistacchio who was working construction, and purchased the business from the original owners upon their retirement.
Saturday, they celebrated the success of four years as partners with a second store that has 10 employees and plans to hire additional staff in the coming months.
Polisena, State Rep. Deborah Fellela, Councilman Robert Civetti and Miss Rhode Island Italia Allegra Graziano also all learned, “Tomato City Pizza is committed to building strong roots within the community and will soon launch DoughNations, a unique turnkey fundraiser program that returns 20 percent of an event’s proceeds back to the organization, helping schools, sports clubs, non-profits and organizations in and around the pizzeria’s delivery zone.”
The 1,500-square-foot restaurant, which has seating for 20 to 25 with tables and chairs, is open daily for lunch and is well known for its specialty pizza, wraps, wings, salads and award-winning bakery pizza.
“We use only the freshest premium ingredients for all of our made-to-order menu items,” Bianco said. “People can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and we’re looking forward to meeting all our new friends in Johnston.”
Tomato City Pizza is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bianco also added, “We’ll have expanded hours in the summer.”
For takeout or other information call 272-0267 or, as Polisena and other people suggested during Saturday’s grand opening, “Stop by and pick up a menu; they’re certainly colorful and there’s plenty to choose from.” Cutlines on sheets slugged 03-06-17 944
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