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“Time flies,” said Gary Bimonte, director of quality assurance and training for the pizza empire begun by his grandfather in 1925.
The world-famous pizzeria is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Fairfield, and with that comes a special partnership with Susan G. Komen Southern New England to be a top supporter in the local fight against breast cancer.
Pepe’s is a lead sponsor for the organization’s Fairfield County Race for the Cure on Saturday, May 7, at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. In addition, the Fairfield location is raising critical funds and awareness on behalf of foundation through a month-long fundraiser in March.
“We thought it seemed like a good fit,” said Bimonte, who said his extended family has been affected by cancer. “We wanted to give back.”
Customers can show their support for Komen Southern New England by making donations at Pepe’s of Fairfield. Anyone donating $100 or more will receive a free large pizza.
On April 5, supporters can register their teams for the Komen Southern New England Race for the Cure at Pepe’s. Those who register will receive a Pepe’s Discount Card and educational materials and have a chance to meet the leadership team behind Komen Southern New England.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria began serving its popular thin-crust pizzas in Fairfield on March 14, 2006. The 98-seat location uses Frank Pepe’s original recipe and creates the pizzas in a signature coal-fired oven built to replicate the New Haven original.
Bimonte said he tours all eight Pepe’s locations — from Yonkers, N.Y. to the latest restaurant in Newton, Mass. — to make sure they adhere to the Pepe’s tradition and maintain clean and welcoming spaces.
“The No. 1 priority is maintaining our family tradition of serving fresh, high-quality pizza that tastes as good as what we’ve been serving in New Haven since 1925,” he said.
Bimonte was just 9 when his grandfather passed away, but he remembers him vividly. Bimonte’s grandparents often babysat for him while his mom worked at the pizzeria.
“He was always kind,” he said. “He always had his hand in his pocket to give you a dime or a quarter to go get an Italian ice.”
For more information on Pepe’s partnership with Susan G. Komen Southern New England, visit its Facebook page.
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