Almaden Resident

News

Pizza eatery to open near Sonoma Chicken

By Emilie Crofton

The restaurant, which will open on Old Almaden Road, is run by partners Josh Rimovsky, 28, Nick Minarik, 28, Zach Kuster, 23, and Nick Alongi, 26. The owners plan to put out the welcome mat on Jan. 20.

The family-friendly restaurant will offer a variety of high-end thick or thin crust pizzas with the option of whole wheat dough and a salad bar, with 30 fresh ingredients, the men say. Sandwiches, appetizers and beer on tap are also part of the menu.

"We will offer a warm, friendly environment," Rimovsky says. "We want to be the premier pizza spot in Almaden."

Opening a pizza restaurant has been a lifelong dream for high school friends Rimovsky and Minarik, who have both worked in the pizza business since age 15.

"I started out as a dishwasher and worked my way up over the years," Rimovsky says. "This has been a dream come true."

The four friends decided to open their own pizza shop together. Each man brings something different, whether it's experience, dedication, hard work or focus.

"We all bring something to the table," Kuster says. "If you want to grow, you need a great team, and we have that."

Kuster has opened two deli sandwich shops, and Rimovsky opened his own pizza shop in Texas before moving back to California.

The restaurant is designed to attract sports fans with eight high-definition plasma televisions and WiFi Internet access. The owners want to be open before the NFL playoffs. The restaurant is currently gearing up to throw a Super Bowl XLII party that will promote its specials.

The men are confident that they picked the right location to launch their restaurant and credit that to the recent opening of nearby Sonoma Chicken Coop.

"Having it here was huge," says Rimovsky. "The two restaurants will draw in more people, attracting them to the center."

The restaurant will open in Old Almaden Plaza, where locals have been craving more dining options.

The restaurant will also provide corporate catering.

"Whether it's for 20 or 500 pizzas, we have the resources to do it," Rimovsky says.

Inside the restaurant, however, the focus is all on the community.

The partners say developing personal relationships with customers and a reputation for great customer service will be vital to their success.

Each partner contributed to the design and construction of the restaurant, and the owners plan to spend a lot of time mingling with patrons.

"We want to have families and Little League kids down here and develop a personal relationship with the community," Alongi says.

They hope to coordinate with local schools and host tours for students, teaching them the history of pizza and how it is made. Families can also host parties, as there is a party room located in the back of the restaurant.

"We're confident it will be successful," Rimovsky says. "We have great energy and focus. A successful spirit for a successful business."

Legends Pizza Co. is located at 5965 Almaden Expressway. Restaurant hours are 4 to 10 p.m. on weekdays, Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 408.323.9700.