SCHENECTADY — Pizza pulled straight from the oven, lasagna layered with a heaping of homemade sauce and chicken parmesan packed with Sicilian flavor are just a sampling of the scents inviting you into Home Style Pizza on Union Street.
Once inside, there’s no way you’re missing the delectable desserts on display. Food and family — that’s what the owners behind the business have continued to build on for the past 50 years.
The business began as Home Style Pizza & Submarine on the corner of Van Antwerp Road in Niskayuna in 1973, under the leadership of Anthony and Ida Bennice and Andre and Rina Adonnino.
They would eventually move the pizzeria to Union Street in Schenectady where it has remained ever since, with the same family still operating the joint.
Now, the family operates three businesses — Home Style Pizza, Home Style Caterers and The Ritz on Upper Union — with Anthony and Joseph Adonnino and Paulie and Michael Bennice overseeing operations.
“There’s been some good days and some bad days, but it’s always been a lot of work and a lot of family involved,” said Anthony Adonnino.
Over the last five decades, the family has seen a lot of changes, from the economy to new technology and closing down its dining portion of Home Style Pizza during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s been a lot of trials and tribulations,” said Anthony Adonnino.
During the pandemic, they mostly served family meals since customers were spending much more time at home.
But the family has continued to grow, opening its latest endeavor The Ritz on Union, an Italian-American restaurant, earlier this year.
“We’ve kind of taken the torch and brought this business to a different level,” Anthony Adonnino said. “We used to be just this small little take out pizzeria, now we are takeout, delivery, still doing great pizza. We’ve expanded our catering to delivery service for customers within a 65 to 75 mile range. We do small parties, large parties, weddings.”
Anthony Adonnino said there’s definitely been some learning curves over the years, but what’s made it work is that everyone gives a 100% effort.
Collaboration also played a big part in the businesses success, said Paulie Bennice.
"The biggest thing we’ve done is learn that we all have different areas of expertise and we all help each other out throughout the process,” he said.
The two said the best part of the business is the customers, many of whom are families and friends they’ve grown up with or watched grow up.
“We’re always happy when we see smiles on our customers' faces knowing that we’ve created a feel-good moment for them when it comes to cuisine and the atmosphere that we try to provide,” Anthony Adonnino said.
Another great part about the business, they said, is the staff. The children of some of the people they grew up working with in the business have worked or are working for them.
“It’s been a family environment from the beginning and we try to keep that going,” Paulie Bennice said.
The two men said their family is proud of where they’ve taken the business.
“They're amazed sometimes at the scope of what we do,” Anthony Adonnino said. ”It’s a level they didn’t fathom.”
The success of the business has in turn allowed the family to assist schools and charities in the area.
The two men said the hope is to be here 25 years from now still doing what they love.
“We’re still here for the long haul, no worries,” Anthony Adonnino said. “Come visit us for our 75th anniversary.”