Mamma Rosa’s Pizzas in Burnie on the market as owners look to retire after four decades

It’s known as a Burnie staple, but after four decades, the owners of Mamma Rosa’s will be selling their beloved pizza shop. Why they are moving on.

Mamma Rosa's Pizzas owner Sandra Blacklow. Picture: Simon McGuire.

After four decades of providing tasty slices to the public, Mamma Rosa’s Pizzas in Burnie is on the market.

Owners Bob and Sandra Blacklow have decided to retire and are looking for someone else to take over the business.

Mrs Blacklow said she realised about a year ago it was time to step back from the business.

“I’ve got a bad neck, and I just can’t do it anymore,” she said.

“We’ve got three grandchildren, and we want to spend time with them.”

Whoever takes over the business, Mrs Blacklow said she hoped they would not change too much.

“We’ve had conversations with customers who have said ‘what if they change sauce? What if they change the dough?’

“A lot of our customers have told us that we deserve to retire but don’t want us to go.”

Mamma Rosa's Pizzas owner Sandra Blacklow. Picture: Simon McGuire.

Mamma Rosa’s Pizzas started in New South Wales before the Blacklows moved the shop to Wynyard and eventually Burnie.

“The people we met in Wynyard, their kids are coming in here, and even customers from Wynyard are coming over here,” Mrs Blacklow said.

“When the regulars walk in, I know what they have. I can walk down the street and say ‘that guy gets a small Hawaiian.”

Ms Blacklow believed the relationships she had formed through the pizza shop were a significant factor behind the success of her business.

“The way I am with customers, the relationships are very established, and I know them well,” she said.

“Years ago, we used to be open until 6am.

“When we out at Wynyard we’d have young kids come in who were homeless, and we’d talk to them and try to help them out.”

Mrs Blacklow thanked the North-West community for its support.