TJ Manfre comes from a long line of restaurant owners, as his grandfather, father, and uncle all owned and operated pizzerias before him. Growing up in the pizza business, TJ gained a deep connection to family, purpose, and a legacy. He says the shop was where he spent most of his time growing up, and he wouldn’t trade it for anything. Today, he runs that same family business that he grew up in, Via Napoli Pizzeria & Restaurant.
To TJ, pizza has always represented family. Growing up, his grandfather Leo, was his hero — a strong yet gentle man who taught him how to lead with integrity and kindness. TJ recalls spending as much time as possible following him around while he worked. From rolling dough side by side to watching him guide the team, shadowing his grandfather helped TJ find where he fit in the family business.
Now, his own children have found their place in Via Napoli. His daughter helps in the dining room as the “boss”, and his son is learning how to make his own pizzas. Having them around the shop brings TJ back to his upbringing and reminds him why he chose this career. His favorite part of owning a pizzeria is the people around him who make the shop run each and every day. Having a close-knit crew that feels like family is what drives a successful business.
To this day TJ’s grandmother makes the desserts for the shop and he gets to watch the generational love for pizza continue. One day, he hopes his kids will carry on the business — not just as a livelihood, but as part of a legacy.