Jimmy Fauci, owner of Fauci Pizza on Lynnfield Street in Lynn, is celebrating 45 years of business. Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke
By Michele Durgin
LYNN — It’s a safe bet to say that pizza is as American as apple pie.
This tasty, quick meal has become a mainstay at kids’ birthday parties, Sunday afternoon football get togethers, and Mom is just too busy to cook tonight evenings.
One pizza shop, Fauci’s Pizza, is celebrating 45 years in the business, and owner Jimmy Fauci, 64, couldn’t be happier.
“I am so proud to be part of this long running family business,” he said. “And I am grateful that the community has been happy with our products for so many years, and is still loyal to us. At this point, it is generational and we are making pizzas for the adult children and grandchildren of our long time customers.”
Fauci said that his dad, James, who passed away in 1991, opened the shop with not much more than high hopes, a strong work ethic and his grandmother’s pizza sauce recipe.
Since then, nearly every member of the Fauci family, including five of his six children, have worked behind the counter or in the kitchen, and most of them are still employed there today. Fauci beamed as he predicted a fourth generation would keep the business alive. His seven-year-old granddaughter, Maddie, comes into the shop on holidays and enjoys making pizza with him.
“It’s family here and I am so grateful to the people who have been such a big part of our success through the years,” he said. “John Lange, a manager for 20 years, and Crystal Pratt, who was here for several years gave so much to the business. And let’s not forget the countless people who have worked behind the counter, in the kitchen, or made home deliveries all of these years. We are nothing without them.”
Fauci went on to say that the challenges he faces as a business owner have changed throughout the years. Today, he has to worry about trying to keep costs down and remain competitive with the competition. Websites and Facebook pages, used for promotions and special deals, are buzzwords of the day and necessary parts of the operation.
“Facebook is really big now and younger families use it,” Fauci said. “We need to keep up with the times and use it too, if we want them to be our customers.”
Fauci said being part of the community has been a gratifying experience and he still enjoys meeting new people who stop in for a pizza or a sandwich. He is also happy to report that he supports teams and organizations and giving back to the community is a priority.
“We have sponsored Wyoma Little League, as well as East Lynn Little League and Babe Ruth teams for many years,” he said. “We make donations to school programs and try to participate in special events and fundraisers. We help purchase uniforms for teams and throw pizza parties to celebrate big wins. These are some of the best parts of being in the business.”
The business shows no signs of slowing down or losing popularity within the community. It was recently named the 2016 winner of the Best of Lynn Pizza Contest, sponsored by the Harmony Among Lynn Teens Conference.
Fauci said he is grateful for the success he has enjoyed and hopes to continue for many years.
“I love it when longtime customers come in with their children and a new generation is joining the family,” he said. “This is so much more than a job. I take it seriously and I love it. It has become a way of life and I am far from ready to move on.”
