By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
When Lakeside began searching for someone to take over its pizza shop, a familiar face, just a short drive or bike ride away, saw the perfect opportunity.
Brian Strayer is the new owner of WB Pizza Company, located at the corner of Second Street and Maple Avenue, a spot well known to Lakesiders. He brings nearly two decades of experience to the space as the owner of Bruno’s Pizzeria in Marblehead and Willard, Mama’s Pizza in Shelby, and Cozzeria Pizza in Elyria.
“We’ve been in the pizza business for about 20 years now,” Strayer said. “We’re always looking to grow. I’ve known over the years how busy this place gets, and we thought, ‘What a great opportunity to bring Lakeside a really cool pizza concept.’”
A Menu Built for Variety
WB Pizza’s menu will feature traditional and specialty pizzas, including gluten-free options, along with pastas, subs, salads, wings and baskets, such as boom boom shrimp served with fries. During the colder months, guests can also enjoy soups.
Pizza sizes will include 10, 12, and 14 inches, plus the Big Sicilian, a 16-by-16-inch square pizza. While Strayer also owns nearby Bruno’s, he assures that WB Pizza Company will offer something distinctly different.
“The WB brand has a thicker dough,” Strayer said. “We’ll have an original crust and a deep-dish pan pizza. They’re so good. Because the locations are close to each other, we wanted to bring something totally different to Lakeside.”
Exclusive Treats & Local Sips
WB Pizza will also feature items not available at Strayer’s other restaurants. Otis Spunkmeyer cookies will be baked fresh daily, with flavors still being finalized.
Beverage options will include Pepsi products, such as fountain drinks, 20-ounce bottles and two-liter bottles, along with unique flavors from Cleveland-based Sixth City Soda. Options include maple cream, grape jam, apple pie and honey blonde root beer. After the first round of sodas are sold, WB-branded labels will appear on future bottles.
“We’re trying to do a lot of different things that people will get excited about coming in,” Strayer said.
Easy Carryout & Grab-and-Go Options
A side entrance leads directly to the carryout area in the back of the restaurant, making it easy for guests to pick up orders without walking through the dining room. Lakesiders can also stop in for pizza by the slice, cookies, coffee, soda, fresh-made lemonade or iced tea to go. Signage at the front will direct customers to the carryout area.
“I think the carryout area will be really nice and convenient,” Strayer said. “People can come in, have plenty of options to pick from and head out the door.”
A Few Fun Extras
WB Pizza Company will include a few playful additions for guests of all ages. A crane game has been installed in the carryout area, something Strayer joked his wife has already tried out. The dining room features a modern, all-digital jukebox that customers can access with their phones or by inserting money. Additional TVs are being added, including one dedicated to restaurant promotions.
Opening Plans
A Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. All are welcome to celebrate and stay for dinner.
WB Pizza Company plans to operate Thursday-Sunday before expanding to seven days a week in early spring. The restaurant will be open year-round. Continue to check their website for hours of operation.
“It’s a big undertaking,” Strayer said. “There was a little more to do here than I thought, but the guts of it are really nice. The building is beautiful, and we love the storefront.”
A True Family Business
Strayer shares that WB Pizza is a family-run business. His youngest son, Joey, wants to take over someday. His daughter, Alyssa, is also involved, though her time in Lakeside will come later this year following her pregnancy. His general manager previously worked for him at Bruno’s. Strayer says he’s always open to feedback and listening to new ideas.
“What I love about what I do is we don’t have any constraints,” Strayer said. “It’s our business, our brand and our creation. If someone says, ‘Hey, it would be cool if you did this,’ then we can do it. It’s exciting to be creative and put together a new brand.”
A Lakeside Connection
Lakeside is a place Strayer knows well. His mother once lived just outside the gates on Miami Avenue, which leads to Walby Drive, her maiden name. He spent much of his childhood in the community, and his mother is especially excited to see WB Pizza opening in Lakeside.
“It’s cool that we’re able to do something here,” Strayer said. “We’re going to give Lakeside a great pizza. All the extra things are really fun to put together.”
