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January 07, 2007

LaRosa's now offers catering ... 'case ya might not have heard

Mariemont LaRosa's owner Randy Lipps wants to deliver the news to as many people who will bend an ear: The pizza shop just isn't in the business of making pies and hogies.

It has now expanded to "catering" pies and hogies.

"We now cater. Parties. Meetings. Any type of gathering, we now offer our services," Lipps said.

Now people can order hoagies (Deli Royal, Turkey Club, Chicken Italiano), pasta meals (lasagna, Ziti Chicken Alfredo, Ziti Alfredo, Ravioli) wings, salads and, of course, pizza.

In fact, all you have to do is visit the village LaRosa's, located at 6950 Madisonville Road, and ask for a catering menu. There you will find everything that is available and an order form that can be called in or faxed. The pizza shop will also deliver it to your door with plates, napkins, cutlery packs and serving utensils.

The Mariemont LaRosa's once delivered over 200 pizzas to Children's Hospital, an unexpected treat for the young patients.

Lipps said he was asked if a job that size could be done and he replied "no problem."

Of course, making 200 pizzas is quite a tall order for any store of any size, so Lipps called a neighboring store and asked for assistance in making some of the pizzas.

"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.

Posted by johnston at January 7, 2007 10:47 PM