There’s a new pizza in town – and it’s looking to give all those other pies a run for their money.
Fatty’s Pizza, located in Lake Orion, opened up a new pizza shop in downtown Oxford on Sept. 26. The store is located at 40 N. Washington, next door to Achatz Homemade Pies.
“We decided to open up here because of the growth happening in the northern area,” said founder and owner Steve Templin. “It’s a good spot. I like the feel of the downtown and the atmosphere of the businesses here.”
Templin opened his first Fatty’s Pizza in Waterford in 1995, and in 1996 he opened a second store in Lake Orion. The concept behind the family-run business is to provide a product that brings back the large, brick-oven baked pizza piled high with fresh, quality ingredients.
“I believe we are the only store in the area using the traditional brick ovens,” said Templin. “I just find that you get a better pizza that way than with the conveyer belts.”
However, customer service and value are the two qualities Templin prides most in his stores.
“We cater to whatever the people need,” he said.
“Dollar per dollar, our pizzas are bigger, better and equal in quality and value to the chain pizzas,” Templin added. “Customers come to us and only need one pizza to feed their family, where at a chain store they normally need two.”
And Templin definitely knows his pizzas.
A Lake Orion graduate, Templin has been working in pizza parlors since high school. After graduating with a degree in business from Oakland University, he decided to make what he loves a career.
“I just thought I would give it a shot,” he explained. So in 1993, Templin became part owner of Guidos in Oxford before moving out on his own. Today, he co-owns Fatty’s Pizza with his wife Lori and the couple are excited about their new venture.
To reach Fatty’s Pizza, please call the Oxford store at 628-4471 or the Lake Orion store at 391-9226.