New owners plan few changes to pizza shop
Kettering couple vows Troni Brothers’ values, taste to remain steady.
A Kettering pizza shop known for its New York style pizza and pasta dishes has a new set of owners.
Troni Brothers Pizza, 4654 Wilmington Pike, is now owned by Kettering natives Dave and Gina Keen. They are operating the pizza shop with the help of sons Dylan and Riley.
“The appearance and the people may have changed, but the quality and taste of the food is never going to change,” Dave said.
Dave explained the opportunity to own the pizza shop came about after a few years of working with the Troni family. Dave owns Roxstar Payments, a company that sells point of sale (POS) systems. He said he was helping Labinot (Labi) Troni, the owner of Roma’s Pizza in Springboro, set up the system when the phones started ringing off the hook. Labi asked Dave if he could stay and help answer the phones, so he did.
This was not a one-time incident. Dave said from that day forward he continued to volunteer at the Troni family’s restaurants and soon after brought Riley to work as well.
“Over the last couple of years it became almost a norm that I would go there and help out,” Dave said. “Whichever one needed help I would go help.”
Dave said he had a lot of fun working in the pizza shop and as his relationship with the family grew, so did his POS system business.
Hisni ( Junior) Troni, owner of Troni Brothers Pizza and Labi’s uncle, was a client of Dave’s. He explained that Junior was ready to start slowing down when he asked if Dave would be interested in owning the business.
“It’s always kind of been something in the back of my mind, but never really thought I would go for it until the opportunity knocked,” Dave said.
The Keen family wants to continue to be involved in the community just like the Troni family has in the past.
Dave said he is planning to add
an outreach program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. He explained he was inspired to start this program because both of his sons have intellectual disabilities. Dave said he has initiated early conversations with Kettering City Schools and their Special Education Department to put his vision in place.
Troni Brothers Pizza will continue to use the same family recipes. Dave said Junior will continue to help out at the pizza shop a few days a week.
For those who haven’t had Troni Brothers Pizza, Dave said you can expect New York style pizza with everything made fresh daily includ- ing the dough and sauce.
One of the most popular pizzas is the old fashioned that uses red wine and pepper- oni drippings in the sauce. Dave described the sauce
as very sweet. The sauce is drizzled on top of the cheese instead of underneath.
“We are not changing anything,” Dave said.
He explained they may tweak the menu in the future by adding and removing items, but nothing drastic. At this time the family is also working on remodeling the dining room and updating the dining format. Dave said in a few weeks customers will be able to place their order at the counter and have their pizza brought to them.
Troni Brothers Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For m ore informa- tion about Troni Brothers Pizza, visit www.tronibroth- erspizza.com or the pizza shop’s Facebook page.