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communityspotlight


A Passion for Pizza and


Community by Beth Davis


The Zza Factory is dedicated to providing customers with the highest quality ingredients and supporting local farmers and businesses by using the freshest vegetables, cheeses, breads and meats, many of which are sourced locally.


W


hen business partners Sonny Marrocco and Ben Bruchert first met nine years ago through a mu- tual friend, they immediately hit it off. They first


teamed up for a DJ business, in which Marrocco says they, “…always got along and just worked well together.” How- ever, when Bruchert approached Marrocco about opening a pizza shop together, Marrocco was a little hesitant. “I really wasn’t sure if I wanted to get in the restaurant business, but after I thought about it and my family history, it seemed like a natural fit,” Marrocco recalls. “Once we made the commitment, we were ready to go within weeks.” That family history included a special family sauce rec-


ipe developed by his Sicilian great-grandmother and passed down through generations, including Marrocco’s father, Liborio, whose lifelong dream was to open a pizzeria so he could share the flavors of his family’s secret recipe with other pizza lovers. Before Liborio’s death, he shared the recipe with Sonny, his only remaining son. Now with the blessing of generations past, Bruchert and


Marrocco serve delicious pizzas and Italian fare at The Zza Factory, in Fridley. Here, the business partners are dedicated to providing customers with the highest quality ingredients and supporting local farmers and businesses by using the freshest vegetables, cheeses, breads and meats, many of which are sourced locally.


Supporting the community is a priority for the partners.


“We want to put money back into our local economy,” ex- plains Marrocco. “If every business did it, we wouldn’t have the economic issues that we currently face.” That commitment to community goes beyond just food, as Zza often supports local charitable organizations, local


14 NA Twin Cities Edition natwincities.com


little leagues and more. “We are going to be here for our community, just as they are here for us,” Marrocco notes. “People recognize our dedication and know they can count on our support.”


According to Marrocco, they can also count on a fun, friendly atmosphere with a variety of mouthwatering choices, including pizzas, pastas, wings, salads, calzones, hot subs and even desserts. The pizzas are handmade and hand-tossed using the duo’s own dough recipe and, of course, that home- made Sicilian sauce that simmers for more than six hours. To find just the right cheese, the team taste-tested more than 40 types. “So many of the cheeses were processed and salty,” says Marrocco. “We want to feel good about what we are offering; we want it to be healthy, without the additives.” Wholesome eating is definitely a priority at Zza, which offers a health-conscious pizza that uses half the normal portion of dough; skim mozzarella cheese; a choice of light Zza sauce, Balsamic vinegar or extra-virgin olive oil; and fresh vegetables. Marrocco was also inspired to provide gluten-free options. He says that when Zza first opened, they hosted a kid’s


birthday party. One of the children had a gluten allergy and couldn’t eat the pizza. “It broke my heart,” he notes. “Pizza should be a part of everyone’s life.” After some initial research, Marrocco and Bruchert found


Bittersweet Bakery, a gluten-free bakery in Eagan, to source the dough for crust. When they create gluten-free options, everything is prepared away from gluten products in the shop; fresh vegetables are chopped separately, and the meat is not opened until it is ordered. Marrocco says offering gluten-free fare is simply another example of their commitment to provide the best service and experience to their customers. “We completely believe in what we are doing; it’s what we do and what we want to do,” he advises. “A 14-hour day feels like six hours, and that is the way it should be.”


On June 15, Zza will celebrate its one-year anniversary. To thank loyal customers, a one-topping, medium pizza will cost $5, and all the normal weekly specials will be offered that day. The Zza Factory is located at 6522 University Ave. N.E., in Fridley. For more information, call 763-572-8500 or visit TheZzaFactory.com. See ad, page 17.


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