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Pizzeria tops off delivery with video

 
Published Feb. 17, 1992|Updated Oct. 10, 2005

Suburbanites who like to munch pizza while watching a video at home can now do both _ and never leave their easy chairs.

Three Tampa entrepreneurs have opened a business in Carrollwood that delivers newly released movie videos and freshly baked pizzas in a combination they say is a sign of the times.

"Welcome to the '90s" said Ed Williams, part-owner of Top 20 Video & Pizza Express. "It's a service industry."

Williams and partners Tim Wirebjer and Bill Pizor cranked up the kitchen and delivery part of their business at 5325 Gunn Highway last month. They opened as a video store in November.

"We've had people say they've thought about doing this and just wish they'd had the gumption," said Wirebjer, 30.

Williams, 30, who also owns the Fletcher Deli on W Fletcher Avenue, started the idea locally, but doesn't lay claim to its creation.

"They're doing this in places like New York and Washington, D.C.," Williams said.

Wirebjer is in charge of day-to-day operations and perfection of the pizza.

"We're interested in quality control right now," Wirebjer said, rolling out a pizza crust as he described the sauces and cheeses he uses. "We give slices away to our customers to find out from them what they like and don't like."

The brick-style oven in the back of the 1,200 square-foot storefront can turn out 100 pizzas an hour. But for now Wirebjer says they're selling about 20 pizzas during the week, and three times that on weekends.

Customers can order a pizza and rent a video for a total of $12 to $20. They also can order either separately, Williams said.

Top 20 Video & Pizza Express opens every day at 3 p.m., with deliveries starting at 5 p.m., Wirebjer said. It closes at 9 p.m. on weeknights; 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 8 p.m. on Sunday.

To make sure they can meet the demand, the men have decided to start with a limited delivery area, which is bounded by Ehrlich Road, Linebaugh Avenue, Dale Mabry Highway and Sheldon Road.

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