Tops in Pizza is once again making their popular heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine’s Day this year.
Alissia Martin and Jessica Bower remember making heart-shaped pizzas during a 1994 field trip to Tops in Pizza while attending Kindergarten at Guardian Angels Catholic School in 1994.
Martin says the experience is a fond memory that has stuck with her over the years.
“Having the co-owner, Peter Marinakos, showing us how to make pizza has always been stuck in my brain,” she said. “I remember being with my best friends and making the pizza. It was a really fun day.”
Bower says she also remembers the field trip quite vividly.
“Making the pizzas was so cute,” she said. “When I look back at the pictures from that day it reminds me of what it was like being a kid and finding such joy out of the little moments.”
They recently returned to their favourite pizzeria — 29 years later — and did it all over again, making heart-shaped pizza with the owners, who still have that passion for pizza.
Bower says Tops in Pizza holds a special place in her heart.
“It’s been here forever,” she said. “It’s a staple of this town.”
When Bower enjoys Tops in Pizza today, she says it gives her a little taste of her childhood.
“We used to get Tops delivered to our school on Pizza Day,” she explained. “Generations of people have enjoyed it; I think it’s very much so nostalgic for a lot of people.”
Co-owner Toni Marinakos says it means a lot to her family to hear that the legacy of the pizzeria has impacted community members.
"We still have a great connection with all of our customers who are a part of our story,” she said. “They are a part of this journey that we started in 1985.”
Hearing customers' memories associated with the pizzeria never gets old, Marinakos says.
“We hear the same stories every day,” she said. “People having us a part of their memories means a lot to us."
Tops in Pizza has been making heart-shaped pizzas on Valentine’s Day for as long as Marinakos can remember.
“Valentine’s Day is a special day for many people,” she said. “This is a way for us to give a piece of our heart to our customers.”
Leading up to Tuesday, heart-shaped pizzas are available for pre-order by calling 705-327-8677. Part of the proceeds will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
“My brother, Peter, had a massive heart attack in 2010 at the age of 54 and passed away,” Marinakos explained. “That was quite the shocker for the whole family, so we do this in his memory.”
Back in September, the Marinakos’ announced that they will be selling the business and heading into retirement. At this time, there are no updates to report, but the business is still for sale while it operates as usual.
Martin says she is sad to hear that the Marinakos family is looking to sell the business.
“They have always been generous with helping the community,” she said. “I’m sad that they are going because they know how to treat their customers, they are respectful, and they are the loyal people that you want in our community.”
