A few weeks ago the people behind The Pizza Shop in Petersburg reached out. An urban skate shop set up like an actual pizzeria was started by Virginia State University grads Jerome Hood, Robert Davis and Dennis Donaldson in 2009 and has been making ripples in our sister city. We wanted to know more.
A few weeks ago the people behind The Pizza Shop in Petersburg reached out. An urban skate shop set up like an actual pizzeria was started by Virginia State University grads Jerome Hood, Robert Davis and Dennis Donaldson in 2009 and has been making ripples in our sister city. We wanted to know more.
RVA: What is the Pizza Shop?
PIZZA SHOP: Petersburg is an upcoming town with great potential of diversifying its businesses and economy. The main attraction in Petersburg is the Historically Black College Virginia State University. A lot of businesses is surrounded and geared towards the school. In the downtown district of Petersburg there are a lot of old thrift stores, art galleries and restaurants. Their are no good clubs in the area for the general population. Everyone goes to Richmond to party, to shop and other amenities. Thats where the Pizza Shop fits in. The Pizza Shop is a unique skateboard and apparel boutique shop located at 9 East Bank St Petersburg VA.
RVA: So no pizza?
PIZZA SHOP: No Pizza!!!!; however when you step inside the store it is structured like your normal pizza shop. We have ovens, a refrigerator that displays our clothing, pizza boxes all over the store. When a customer purchases a small product such as a t-shirt they will get it inside of a pizza box instead of your average shopping bag. We sell skateboards and accessories. In addition, we sell women and men apparel, snapbacks, beanies and sneakers. We wanted to spice up the city and up come up with a family oriented business where one can come and get a fresh slice of style. I feel like VA gets overlooked not only for skateboarding, but as a cultural in general. From music, arts and craft and sports.
RVA: We haven’t connected with Petersburg but know things are growing. What’s happening down there ? Who should RVA be looking for coming out of the city?
PIZZA SHOP: The Pizza Shop is what you should be looking for coming out of Petersburg. We have been opened for about a year and the half now and slowly been catching the eye from the skateboard community, to college students, to inspiring artist who love creating art and to just your average joe. We have had a few celebrities embrace our movement such as VA owns Pusha-T and DMV artist Wale who have came by the store.
RVA: Where does the shop go from here? Any big ideas for 2011?
PIZZA SHOP: In 2011 we are really just trying to brand our name. We kind of get lost in the mix coming out of Petersburg because there is not a lot going on; however we do have big plans in 2011. We have just finished putting up our website (www.sk8pizza.com), we are entering national skate competitions, trade shows, fashion shows, we have another Look-book coming out early spring and community events we plan on doing to give back to the less fortunate. We are just taking it one step at a time and really trying to create a foundation in which we want to be the “One stop shop” of Petersburg like your local Wal-Mart. One can come skate in front of our shop, come inside grab a snack (chips and drink), buy a skateboard and get fresh with our apparel all at the same time. We just want to thank you for taking the time out and hearing our voice.
Come check out The Pizza Shop and enjoy a slice of style…
www.sk8pizza.com
For more information contact us via E-mail at pizza.skate.shop@gmail.com or call 804 715-5141.
The Pizza Shop is located on 9 East Bank st. Petersburg VA, 23806.
