Cobram Pizza House will open on Sunday, January 31, with co-owners Mark Fruend and Wally James Franco running the show.
Mr Fruend has been in Cobram for 30 years and has a background in supervising and management.
His uncle Frank Macheda owns the pizza shop Athenaeum Yarrawonga where Mr Fruend has been learning the tricks of the trade.
“I had an opportunity to open up a shop and I was going to look for Wally (Franco), but little did I know he was also talking to my uncle about opening a shop, so my uncle put us together,” Mr Fruend said.
“I've known Wally since I was 18 years old, and since I've known him he's been making pizzas.”
Mr Franco will bring 30 years of expertise to the new business, including 17 years working at what used to be Cobram's Fasta Pasta.
“I just did the best possible job I could do, and it must have worked all right because people kept coming back asking for me,” Mr Franco said.
“I've had virtually two jobs my whole life, so I want to try doing something on my own.
“This is my passion and what I love doing, I like interacting with people.”
Mr Franco was born in Rome, Italy, and moved to Australia when he was nine years old.
Since the two partners joined forces three months ago, they have been looking for the right location for their store.
The signage for the shop was completed by Cobram's Dean Laws Signs and the logo was designed by Mr Franco's son Zach Franco, who runs his own apparel store, Zero Four.
The partners were looking forward to opening and thanked the local community for their support.
“We're both invested in this and we both have the same business plan in mind, it's working really well,” Mr Fruend said.
Cobram Pizza House, at 66 High St, Cobram, will be take-away and delivery only and will open on Sunday, January 31, from 5 pm to 10 pm.
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