The Daily News

Vinny's Pizza in Wahpeton opened Nov. 8, 2007, and ever since has been delivering and dishing up affordable and good pizza fast, while spreading their message that "pizza is love."

Jeremy Veum, manager, and DJ Wadholm, marketing and finance manager, opened Vinny's Pizza after they to started to think seriously about starting a business together in June 2007. Their goal was to bring a unique, fun and convenient pizza place to the Twin Towns modeled after smaller, privately owned restaurants in both Grand Forks and Fargo.

"It was quite a project," Veum said.

Bobby Qualley prepares the pizza crust by tossing it in the traditional fashion before placing it on the pan. Vinny’s Pizza began in November 2007 in Wahpeton. Daily News photo by Erin Hevern. Advertisement

"It was fun though," added Wadholm.

Veum and Wadholm, who are both from Fargo, have been friends since their high school years in Grand Forks. With Veum having 10 years of chef experience and Wadholm also working for the North Dakota Small Business Development Center, the pair felt they had the right combination of experience to make their vision a reality.

Although neither Veum nor Wadholm are named Vinny, it was a nickname they've called each other since high school. They knew right away their business had to be called Vinny's Pizza.

Being business partners has been nothing but fun for Veum and Wadholm. As the manager works mainly with the staff, Veum feels it's important to give his employees a voice.

"The way we work here, we're all a team," said Veum.

This pizza joint, which is located at 116 1/2 6th St. N.,Wahpeton, had a strong opening and a lot of community support. Although it slowed down after the Christmas holiday, Veum said business is picking back up and the pizzeria's employees play a big part in its success.

Wadholm added that the calzone on the menu now was originally an employee idea and recipe.

In addition to their calzones, many of their specialty pizzas, including a buffalo chicken, taco and barbecue pizza, are Vinny's Pizza's own mixture of special sauce combinations.

"We use completely fresh ingredients and it's all our recipes," Veum said.

Wadholm added the sizes of their pizzas are larger; a medium at Vinny's Pizza is the size of their competitor's large.

"You get more food for the money," Wadholm said. "It's more about the convenience of it and the affordability."

Veum said at Vinny's Pizza customers can get great deals every day. On their Web site, http://www.thinkfastpizza.com, patrons can finds coupons to use and register by e-mail to receive their newsletters, which also enters you in a drawing to win a prize.

Also, just in time for SuperBowl, Vinny's Pizza is offering four packages anywhere from $5 to $25. Wadholm recommends you place an order before Sunday to receive 15 percent off but customers can receive 10 percent off on the day of the game.

Comments

Clay Carpenter wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 PM:

" RIP Dave,
I miss all our good times in Germany.
Your a Patriot and the definition of an American. "




Report Abuse

Veronica A wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:12 AM:

" I used to go this schoool and its a very good school and I really like and miss it but i have moved on and now and a better person but I really liked that school and I hope it lasts for ever!!!!!! Class of 05-06 "




Report Abuse

Marie wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Mr Smith owes the Geffres an apology? How about the Geffres apologize to the community of Hankinson. In two short years that family has torn apart a school, a community, family and friends. They have showed no respect for Hankinson. Hankinson is not their community! It's time for the Geffres to move on. "




Report Abuse

MARY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:53 AM:

" AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, I THINK OUR SUPERINTENDENT JESS SMITH OWES THE GEFFRE FAMILY A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR SOME OF HIS COMMENTS TO THE PRESS. AFTER ALL, HE VICTIMIZED THEM PUBLICLY. IT ISN'T LIKE HE'S TOO BUSY PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN! "




Report Abuse

Ben wrote on Jul 30, 2008 12:21 AM:

" I think he resigned because he knew that people would find out the truth if that meeting took place.....how come after all the media he hyped up to make the Geffres llok bad, did he change his mind and resign?....in my opinion he did it to save his own skin "




Report Abuse

Vern wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:37 PM:

" I agree with the previous poster that this was not about the girls getting playing time. He should probably not be allowed to teach at any age level ever again. "




Report Abuse

Kaye wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:33 PM:

" There is more to this than just the Geffre's complaints and Jess Smith knows it, why doesn't he just come clean about everything and all complaints there has been on Gravalin in the past three years,he has been covering up and sweeping under the rug so to speak. This isn't just about parents that didn't think their girls got to play enough. Shouldn't the first duty of his position be to protect our children. "




Report Abuse