"We enjoy making pizzas at a discount for schools and non-profit organization events," Lipps said. "All we need is a little notice. The larger the order, the more time for notice.

"But we will find a way to get the pizzas there," he said.
That LaRosa's location also has a pizza trailer for various festivals. The LaRosa's contributes to the Taste of Mariemont and every Friday the store delivers pizzas for lunch to the Queen of Angels Montessori.

"We are willing to do it for any school," Lipps, who has owned the Mariemont location for over a year, said.

Basically, LaRosa's - a Cincinnati-based franchise - was founded on community service and support.

"The founder instilled in all his workers to give back to community who supports us," Lipps said, adding that in the mid-1970s the founder's main location burnt to the ground.

The store didn't lay in ashes and ruin long, though; local high schools offered helping hands and assisted in re-building the store. The act of kindness resulted in an indebted relationship to the community.

The Mariemont store was supposed to be sold a couple years ago after suffering some hard times.

Lipps said he knew he could keep the store in the village and offered to buy and operate the store in December 2003.

"And I am very pleased with the response from the villagers," he said.
To inquire about LaRosa's helping with a school function or non-profit event, call 271-2133 and speak either to Lipps or a manager. Large one-item pizzas are available for the charitable events for $6.50.