Sixty years ago, the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to capture the World Series, “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” topped the Billboard charts and Tom’s Papa Dino’s Pizza in Florence served its first slice.
While the Dodgers have moved to the West Coast and Latin big band orchestras no longer dominate the music charts, the pizzeria remains. It will be honored for its 60 years in business at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at its longtime location, 290 Main Street in Florence.
State Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, will present the owners with a Senate citation. Numerous other public officials will be in attendance.
“So often we hear about recruiting large companies to the area but it’s imperative to remember small businesses, like this one, employ over 60 percent of our workforce,” Schickel said. “It’s important we honor (Tom’s) Papa Dino’s Pizza for the six decades that they have been right here on Main Street in Florence.”
Tom’s Papa Dino’s, which opened in 1955, is now owned and operated by Mary Schwartz-Crittendon.
The restaurant uses recipes passed down generations and brought to this country from Italy by Schwartz-Crittendon’s great-grandmother.
Tom’s Papa Dino’s now also includes PaPa’s Pub and Patio Beer Garden, offering a variety of entertainment options including Karaoke, a DJ and live music and 12 big-screen TVs.
From press release