In the Beginning...
After a cross-country trip that landed him in Chicago (to visit his sister), a Rochester native was hit by the pizza bug. then later as a graduate from Alfred Tech College, the young Howard Nielsen made the trip back to the "Windy City" with Steve Rossi, a buddy, for a New Year's Eve celebration. He ended up staying there after landing a prestigious job at the famous Chicago pizzaria, "Giorandono's". His plan was to learn how to make the delicious stuffed pizza he had on his first visit. "It was unbelievable," says Howie. He decided to stay for a few months to learn everything he could about pizza. You see, Chicago is the home of the deep dish pizza. "I thought I was in pizza heaven." Howie then returned to Rochester and opened his first store, "The Pizza Station" opposite Seabreeze Park in 1982. Next he moved to Park Avenue and the rest is history...