A young couple who brought their love of New York pizza to a Sunshine Coast beachside suburb are celebrating their success, as popularity for their ‘eat by the slice’ offering grows.
With a dream to create a relaxed food experience and offer a slice of America to diners, Nick Bunce and Laura Mitchell combined their professional backgrounds to launch their business venture in 2021.
Now, Nick’s Pizza Co at Dicky Beach has marked its first year of ‘wowing’ customers with its delicious food.
Ms Mitchell said it had been a wonderful journey so far, as well as a great test to overcome the many obstacles that have been thrown their way.
She said business had been busy and the community were loving what they were offering.
“I think the community has really taken to us and we are starting to get a following of regular customer now, which is nice to see,” she said.
“It has definitely been hard work though. We have gone through a lot of obstacles we probably didn’t think we’d have to go through in the first year.
“We had to navigate the introduction of the vaccine mandates, we had flooding at the beginning of the year – and even down to the price of lettuce and food costs.
“We didn’t think that would all be such a bit challenge within our first year of business but we’ve been through it all now, so I feel like we are ready to face anything.”
Ms Mitchell, 25, says she is proud of what herself and Mr Bunce, 28, have achieved already.
She said the couple had also drawn on family, friends and the community for support and guidance along the way.
As far as the food goes, Mr Bunce – who worked in an American pizzeria in North Carolina for two years – said the ‘Big Saus’ remained the crowd favourite.
This flavour includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, meatballs, mushrooms and garlic.
“We even did a T-shirt for our ‘Big Saus’ pizza as a celebration for the one-year anniversary,” he said.
All the pizzas are made with hand-stretched dough, and the giant 18-inch finished product is then sold by the slice so customers can try different flavours without filling up on one pizza.
Nick’s Pizza Co also has an extensive bar and cocktail list, with live music every Saturday and Sunday.
Looking ahead, Mr Bunce and Ms Mitchell would like to reintroduce a breakfast menu, which they launched earlier in the year, but had to stop due to staffing shortages.
“It was pretty well received but there was a lack of staffing and we had to decide between having a barista on in the morning or a bartender at night,” Mr Bunce said.
Nick’s Pizza Co also hopes to expand its footprint in the local community sponsoring local sports teams or individuals.
“We have a lot of regular customers who play in local sports teams, and we have a few community clubs come and have their team meetings here,” Ms Mitchell says.
“We just want to keep getting our name out into the community.”
Nick’s Pizza Co is open Wednesday to Sunday until late at 6 Beerburrum Street, Dicky Beach.
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