VALORIE EVERSOLE - Daily Union Staff Writer
They came through Shelbyville during Shelbyville High School’s Homecoming Week and fell in love with the town.
“I love high school sports and this town is really into that,” said Pete Vitale. “It looked like a nice town and a nice community to raise a family.”
Pete and Laura Vitale came to Shelbyville in 1999 and opened Joe’s Pizza in a downtown storefront. On July 13, they will celebrate 10 years of business.
“Over the past 10 years we’ve seen businesses come in and out, so to be here 10 years is great,” said Laura.
During their time in Shelbyville, Pete and Laura have begun their own family with Joey, who will be in 1st grade at Main Street School, and Oliver, eight months old.
Beginning Monday, July 7, Joe’s Pizza will be closed for remodeling and will reopen July 10 to celebrate their anniversary.
“We are going to lighten things up a bit,” Laura said. “We will also be offering new items and new specials to our menu.”
Joe’s Pizza has been a gathering place for Shelbyville High School football fans on Friday nights. Pete would have the game on the TV through WRAM.
“We will still have the high school football games shown in here on Friday nights. People like to come in for that and that’s the only way I get to see the games,” Pete said.
“It’s really neat seeing people continue to come in here even after their kids are gone,” Laura said.
The Vitales came to Shelbyville from Paris IL where the original Joe’s Pizza is located. Pete and his brothers have opened a Joe’s Pizza in several towns in Central Illinois. Each one is independently owned.
“I’ve always had a passion for cooking,” Pete said. Although he has not had formal training, he has experience with family cooking “just by having an Italian mom and dad.. It was very gourmet. I helped them with the cooking.”
But the real reason Pete enjoys his own business is his family.
“My wife and my kids are with me at all times. I get to spend time with them,” he said.
“Shelbyville has great family values. We’ve really gotten to know people over the past 10 years,” Laura said.
