The Pizza Lady Takes A Bite Out Of History

Established 25 years ago on Dec. 3, threw a banner flying celebration for the occasion. Local radio station WBLQ, along with family and community members, came together to pay tribute to the Pizza Lady, with its origins deeply rooted in local history. This small family owned and operated business, written up in The New York Times for its well-known Soupy, has a rich history dating back over 90 years.

It all began with owner David Terranova's great aunt Rose La Pere Prevenzo. Living with extended Italian family and community in the Historic North End of Westerly, Rosie made pizza in her home. She and family hit the streets selling her pizza to residences and businesses. She became known in the Italian neighborhood as the "the pizza lady."  The pizza, consisting of homemade dough, sauce and Romano, was coined Sweet Pizza and was sold door-to-door. 

"When I was a kid I would help her with my cousins. We would go knock on doors," owner David Terranova said.

Great Aunt Rosie continued to cook until 1981. In 1985, her infamous pizza recipe became the cornerstone of the Pizza Lady on Palmer and Prospect in Pawcatuck, then moving to its current location on Liberty Street in 2001 for higher visibility. Terranova and family added additional menu items such as mozzarella pizzas, grinders, calzones, sandwiches and soup.

Fast forward 25 years, the success of the Pizza Lady is no surprise. "I had a good product to begin with," Terranova said. He acknowledges how instrumental his employees, family and community are to the success of his business.

With employees, he's willing to go the extra mile to accommodate their needs.

"Dave is a great boss," said employee and manager Rhiannon Wenzel. "Most of us have families and he gives us the flexibility to do what we need to do."

Growing up in Westerly, with a home in Ashaway and a business in Pawcatuck, David knows many people and enjoys giving back. The Pizza Lady prepares lunch for the WARM Center in Westerly twice a week and received a good neighbor award from the .

Keeping it simple the Pizza Lady offers take-out and a pick-up catering menu.

According to David, "people still have to eat and take-out is a less expensive way than taking your family of four to a restaurant." 

The Sweet Pizza, Rosie's original recipe and Pizza Lady trademark, will sell over 600 sheets for Christmas Eve. Steve Monroe, a customer since 1992 noted, "the Sweet Pizza is the best. It's our favorite and the sauce is great. I bring the sheets into work for the guys at EB and they really look forward to it." 

I couldn't leave without trying a few top selling dishes.

With its aromatic, flavorful and savory sauce, the Sweet Pizza has a delicate crispy golden crust. The light dusting of Romano makes this pizza note worthy and truly unique, while the Soupy Pizza is packed with spicy flavor. The addition of soupy makes this pizza a superior alternative to pepperoni.

Topped in red sauce, the Meatball Grinder is hearty and comforting. The homemade meatballs are made weekly by Grandmother Roberta Terranova. The leftovers, voraciously consumed by my two daughters, were the best meal to date according to my daughter Macie.  

"I have seen a lot of pizza places come and go in 25 years and I am really proud of the fact that we are still here," Terranova said.