Napoli Cafe & Neapolitan Pizza flips the idea of ice cream trucks and pizza parlors on its head, dishing out slices from a truck and scoops from a café.
When owner Gael Chatelain had to remove the outdoor patio that previously served as the main dining area for the customers of the food truck, it came as a blow to business, as the traditional Neapolitan pizza it serves is meant to be eaten straight out of the oven.
When Chatelain and his wife found a small storefront, they quickly bought it and went to work on Napoli's new location.
"Our idea was, we can't do the tables over there anymore, so let's move the truck to this lot here in front of Weaver Street, and let's do in a little storefront here everything we can't do in a truck: coffee, teas, wine, beer and our other passion, gelato," Chatelain said.
Moving from wheels to walls was a big change, but Chatelain is excited by the new possibilities the café presents.
"We love how different it is," Chatelain said. "We were concerned that people wouldn't necessarily get the concept, but they've really taken to it, and we've had great feedback."
After over three years in the truck, Napoli has made a name for itself and become a part of the local landscape, and Chatelain hopes to continue that with the restaurant.
"The name drew me at first," customer Omar Rezk said. "It's cool to see that the pizza place is opening a storefront"
Other customers feel the same way.
