Louie's Pizza in Newark celebrates 60th anniversary; owners near 50th

NEWARK -- Bob Campbell started working for his father at Louie's Pizza when he was 14 years old and the restaurant just opened on Maholm Street.

Sixty years later, Campbell is still at Louie's Pizza, which he owns and operates with his wife, Sue Ann. The restaurant moved to Westgate Avenue in 1972, but not much else has changed since Louis Campbell started the business.

“My dad used to be a baker and developed his own dough formula and sauce formula and I still use that today," Campbell said. “We never cheapened the product. We’ve always used quality ingredients and give people good service. We’re working on fourth and fifth generation of customers."

The restaurant celebrates its 60th anniversary on Saturday, with nothing special planned. “Just business as usual," Campbell said. 

In 2013, The Advocate asked readers to recommend their favorite local pizza shop, and Louie's Pizza was among the top six restaurants that were clearly the readers' favorites.

Pizza wasn't nearly as popular in 1960, but Campbell never second-guessed joining his father in the business.

“Back then, when your parents said they needed your help, you would," Campbell said. “It makes me feel pretty good we’ve done that kind of service, and I think my father would be proud of me for keeping it going. A lot of times, people think my name is Louie. So, I don’t bother telling them.”

Campbell's daughter, Rachel Campbell, said the recipe and the service has been key to the restaurant's longevity, despite never providing delivery.

"My dad knows everybody and knows their orders, and just keeps going," she said. "(Customers) just know the drill and come and get their pizza and they're fine with it."

Years ago, Louie's Pizza sold heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine's Day. Next year, Bob and Sue Ann celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 12.

Last year, former Newark resident Karen Johnson posted about Louie's Pizza on Facebook: "I grew up in Newark and moved away...out of state in 1966....That was THE PLACE to get THE BEST Pizza back in the '60s. Never have I found anything to even slightly compare...and I have looked nationwide."

After returning to Newark for the first time in more than 30 years, Johnson wrote, "The pizzas are as I remember...and are still the very best EVER."

Campbell credited his late brother for helping through the years. Tom Scott has been with the business a long time. Daughters Rachel Campbell and Sonya Mauter have worked for the restaurant off and on through the years. Grandchildren Camryn, Jonah and Campbell Mauter also work there. And, many of the workers have been high-schoolers trying to make a little money, he said.

The restaurant was forced to move from 46 Maholm St. in 1972, when the expressway project took the property. The business has been at 1019 Westgate Ave., on the corner of Westgate and 29th Street, ever since.

The business eliminated dine-in service in 1967 or 1968, Campbell said, and had to change suppliers at times, but that's about the extent of the changes.

“People don’t like change," Campbell said. "I grew as the business grew, I’ve had pretty good help.”

For those who want the restaurant to provide delivery, forget it. That's another change that won't happen.

“We don’t deliver," Campbell said. "Never have and never will.”

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958