A chapter closes for popular Everton Park business with loyal 30 year customers
The owner of a favourite north Brisbane pizzeria is hoping a new buyer will take over and continue to build on the shop’s 60-year history.
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Taking the extra time to make their own hand pressed and rolled dough is just one way Stephen Diss and his staff at Pizza Napoli Everton Park kept up with big name competition and build on their loyal customer base.
After eight years of ownership Mr Diss has decided to put the family-run shop up for sale, seeing his children moving on from the shop to university and their careers, as a sign it’s time for him to move on.
Pumping out up to 250 pizzas on a Friday night for customers, some of whom have been loyal to the Napoli brand for 30 years, is more success than Mr Diss ever dreamed of when he entered co-ownership with his brother eight years ago.
“What it’s proved to me is, I’ve done very little marketing on the business at all, we just worked on the name and good customer service values,” Mr Diss said.
“Looking after the people that come in here and then providing not only exceptional service but a good quality product at a reasonable price.
“We don't try and compete with Dominos, we’re just an independent pizza shop and the local community really respond to that and love it.
“I’ve got some beautiful customers who have been coming to the shop for the whole time I’ve owned it.
“They’re customers that have been coming here for 30 years.”
Mr Diss said to his knowledge, the original Napoli shop was in Adelaide Street, Brisbane, back in the 1960s before moving to Alderley and then sold and moved to the current location at 1/6 Trouts Road in the early ’90s.
“It’s been special working with my family, with some of the people I’ve met over the time, people that have really loved the shop,” Mr Diss said.
“It’s challenging working with your family sometimes but in retrospect it’s brought us closer together and is a really big part of our lives.
“My guys, some of them I put them on from high school, most of them are very happy working here and if a new owner comes in, they’ll be happy to stay.
“I’d be hoping somebody recognises it for what it is and keeps carrying on that name and way of doing things.”
Mr Diss said interstate customers have loved the product and supporting one of the few independent pizza shops in Brisbane.
“I get a few customers, particularly Melbourne customers who say they can’t find pizza like this in Brisbane,” Mr Diss said.
“They’re everywhere in Melbourne, little independent pizza shops but you just don’t get them up here.
“Because Dominos dominates the market so much, people see a pizza as being a $5 item.
“Our pizzas definitely aren’t but we keep it so it’s in reach of families.”
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