BizBeat: Pizza Haus completes facelift

Renovations to Pizza Haus in Wardsville are wrapping up.

Matt Mertens and his wife, Laura, bought the business from former owner Bill Stockman in October and immediately began overhauling the restaurant. Mertens said business has steadily picked up since the couple took ownership.

Located at 6324 Route B in Wardsville, Pizza Haus serves pizzas, pastas and sandwiches.

In the kitchen, the couple replaced almost everything besides the pizza oven to make it easier for employees to use. Mertens said the employees notice the difference.

"The kitchen is definitely more efficient," Mertens said.

The couple also added brick-work around the dining room, on the bases of counters and on the building's exterior. Smaller changes also allowed the restaurant to increase its capacity from 45-60 people.

During the middle of the renovations in January, Mertens said he wanted the aging building to have a rusting look that fits in with the surrounding Wardsville neighborhood. Mertens and his wife also made it easier for customers to enter the building by moving the main entrance from the side door to the building's front door.

"It's much more welcoming now that you walk in the front instead of the side," Mertens said.

After buying Pizza Huas, the couple committed to keeping the food the same. Although they've livened up the building, Mertens said customers like the changes.

 

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