How did you guys meet?
Johnny – At a Bar-B-Que!
Dane – We were at a family Bar-B-Que, hanging out with friends and family and drinking Heineken, and Johnny, who already had a pizza restaurant in Oklahoma, said, “Hey, we should build a pizza restaurant in Wichita Falls because there’s not a good local one”. I said, “That’s a great idea! I’ll find us a spot.” Three months later we got the spot, which happened to be an existing pizza place called The Spot, and opened up Stone Oven.
So Johnny, how did you get into the pizza business originally?
Johnny – Well, my brother had a donut shop in Shawnee, and one of his buddies that had a pizza shop was having some problems with it and asked if we wanted to buy it, so we did! He’s Italian and he taught us how to do it right.
And you sold that shop andmoved here?
Johnny – I was already living here. I sold my share of that shop to my brother and opened Stone Oven.
How long was Stone Oven at the Midwestern Parkway location?
Johnny – We were there three and a half, almost four years.
What prompted you guys to decide to move to this new Century Plaza location?
Dane – It was too small over there. We outgrew that space. We’ve been very blessed.
Johnny – Century Plaza is a good spot, more traffic, much more parking, and easier to find.
Will anything be different now that you’re in your new location?
Johnny – Well be serving beer and wine.
Dane – Local beer and wine, with more seating, and more catering.
Johnny – We may eventually add a patio and live music.
Stone Oven serves up gourmet pizza, salads, gyros, and a variety of desserts. Johnny and Dane believe in supporting the local community and frequently donate and participate in local charitable events. They even have local art on their walls.
