Big Jon's Pizzeria Marks First Year in Business

Last summer around this time, Wakefield Patch wrote about the grand opening of Big Jon’s Pizzeria in the Greenwood section of town. A year later, this website is catching up with owner Jon D’Amelio to talk about how he and his brother Frank have been doing with the business.

Looking back, D’Amelio acknowledged he was nervous as he set out to open his first business, in good part because of the financial risk but also because of concern about how people will respond to one’s product. “From what I hear, people tell me we have a great product and they like us,” he said.

The D’Amelio brothers also reportedly work about 70 hours a week at the businesses, on many days from open to close.

“You have to be there that first year to succeed,” said D’Amelio, adding that this also provides a good chance to get to know the customers better.

Earlier this spring, Big Jon’s was also one of the Wakefield businesses that helped raise funds for the Marathon bombing victims.

Looking ahead, D’Amelio also reports that he’s having a second pizza oven installed at Big Jon’s within the next several weeks to keep up with demand and to speed up orders. “We’re working on making it faster and better,” he said.