Photo by Patrick L. Myers - Panfilios Pizzeria is now open in South Bend at the pier.
The 2016 summer has brought new life into downtown South Bend, several businesses have opened up at the pier for the summer.
One such business is new to the area, Panfilio's Pizza is owned and operated by local Kelly Glaziers. The new pizza place was named after his Italian grandmother's name.
Glaziers was born and raised in Raymond, and moved to a host of different locations before moving back to Raymond. "The first time I moved back here I wanted a New York style pizza, and I was a stay at home dad so I started selling pizzas out of my home to friends and family about nine years ago or so.
Then I moved, and was working in the marijuana industry for a tier 2 producer/processor operation," said Glaziers. Glaziers moved back eventually, and it was a friend of his that suggested that he start a pizza business.
"Aaron Strozyk is a good friend of mine, we've been friends since we were kids and he knew I made pizza and he suggested I open up a place of my own. We've been talking about that for nine or ten years," said Glaziers.
Glaziers explained that he didn't have a clue what it would take for him to open up a business, and it turns out: "Selling pizzas out of a tent is not the simplest thing. I make everything from scratch and the amount of demand has been interesting I'm used to making some pizzas for my friends on Fridays," said Glaziers.
Glaziers says that despite how busy the pizza place has been, he is looking to further the business and even has plans currently to implement fresh produce for ingredients, since most of what goes into the pizzas is made from scratch. Glaziers explained that he moved back mainly so that he could see his children, but then added that the new business has taken most of his time.
Panfilios Pizza is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm.