WESTLOCK – Apollo Pizza is holding a month-long celebration of 50 years of serving up countless delicious pizzas and other meals to their customers, many of whom have been regulars since the very beginning.
In March 1972, Dimi and Joe Drezzick, left the family farm between Boyle and Grassland with their three small children, Sandra, 6, Chris, 4, and Laura, 18 months, to open Apollo Pizza in Westlock, above the bowling alley just off Main Street on 105th Street. It was basically an idea of Dimi’s to augment the income from their small farm. The name for their pizza business comes from the Greek god, Apollo, and Dimi is herself originally from Greece, so it was a natural fit. The Drezzicks had met up with some Greek people in Edmonton who were already in the pizza business, and with many getting into the business, that’s what they decided to do in Westlock.
In the beginning, it was long days and long nights, when most of the action in the pizza joint began after midnight and on Friday and Saturday nights, lasting often until 4 a.m. — long after the rest of the town, including the bowling alley and bars had shut down.
Current owners, Sandra and David Truckey searched back through their memories to recall some of the highlights of the business. Apollo Pizza opened at lunchtime for a couple of hours, and during school days, often serving high school students munching on half-loaf sandwiches. They closed for a time each day, then re-opened in the late afternoon until people stopped coming.
From 1972 until 1982, Apollo Pizza remained downtown and became a favourite hangout for kids and families from all over the area. Sandra began working in the business operating the cash register when she was only 10. She recalls a couple of incidents, one which could have been a disaster. Little brother Chris, when still a pre-schooler, was in the back one time, playing with matches and caught some pizza boxes on fire. Luckily it was caught quickly and put out before causing any real damage. The other thing she recalls was the jukebox, constantly playing the records of the day, and the black chairs customers had to sit on.
In 1982, Apollo Pizza moved to its current location on the north side of town, just off of Highway 44 as a fully-licensed restaurant. There was yet little development in the area at the time. Joe retired in the mid-1980s and Dimi in 1994, when David and Sandra purchased the business from them.
Since that time, the business has continued to grow steadily, but the cozy, friendly atmosphere remains the same. In fact, they still have the same pizza oven that has been in use for over 40 years that continues to turn out customer favourite pizzas day after day, including the main menu item, their famous Apollo Special. Along with the on-site business, Apollo Pizza also has added the addition of off-site catering, which has made their little kitchen even busier.
The Truckeys note that while menus and customers have changed over time, they attribute their success to the same great service, great pizza, and a long-standing team of staff dedicated day in and day out to serving their customers.
“Consistency is the main thing,” David said. “Today, we’re selling more pizzas than ever.”
Many of those customers are regulars at Apollo Pizza and David says some have their favourite menu, and he knows right away what they will order, and even the kitchen staff will know who that is just by their order.
The Truckeys said that they have been happy to be able to share many special times in the lives of customers — birthday parties, anniversaries, and other special events.
And while there are many regular customers, there are also some very long-term dedicated employees at Apollo, such as Brenda Plain who has worked there for 37 years, Lavern Van Weerden for 27 years and Debbie Wood, 20 years. Before their passing, Diane Maslanka worked at Apollo for 27 years and Erika Sader for 19.
“Without the strength and dedication of our staff, plus the continued support of our loyal and long time customer base, Apollo would not be the local favourite it has been in the community for many years, and for that, we are truly thankful,” said the couple.
During this month-long, 50-year celebration, Apollo is offering daily specials, and taking names for a draw at the end of the month.
