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Smithtown is set to welcome a new dining destination as The Pizzeria prepares to open its doors on Main Street as soon as late February, ownership told Greater Long Island.
The Smithtown location will be the Long Island chain’s seventh restaurant since launching in 2020, joining spots in Bay Shore, Lindenhurst, Islip, Bayport, Lake Grove and Babylon.
Located at 88 Main St., the new 3,000-square-foot restaurant replaces the Buona Sera pizzeria and will feature a full-service bar, seating for 75 guests and dine-in waitress service, as well as a traditional slice counter.
“We’ve had a lot of requests from customers to expand to Smithtown,” said Cliff Weinstein, a member of the ownership team. “It’s a vibrant area with a demographic that matches the community-focused atmosphere we aim to create.”
The Pizzeria in Smithtown will employ 25-30 workers, adding to the company’s existing team of 170 employees. Beyond serving its renowned pizza, the restaurant group’s growth is fueled by its commitment to hospitality—not just for its patrons but also for its employees, Weinstein said.
The company places a strong emphasis on staff satisfaction, with such initiatives as appointing a chief happiness officer and a performance coach to help employees achieve personal and professional fulfillment.
“We’ve learned that investing in our team’s happiness leads to better experiences for our guests,” Weinstein explained. “Our goal is to create a platform for growth. Whether employees stay with us long-term or use this as a stepping stone, we want to ensure they thrive.”
It starts with a happy team
Weinstein emphasized that employee satisfaction is a cornerstone of their business philosophy.
“We take a hospitality approach to the whole business, and by hospitality, we mean starting with making our team as happy as humanly possible,” he said. “If our 170 employees are happy, fulfilled and challenged, they’ll naturally create great experiences for our customers.”
The role of the company’s chief happiness officer includes organizing team-building events and supporting staff in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Weinstein said their performance coach works closely with team members “to help them find happiness—not just in their jobs but in life.”
“It’s about understanding what really matters to the individual, which changes how they think and operate,” he added.
Case in point: On Monday before Thanksgiving, the company closed all of its restaurants early (at 7:30 p.m.), in order to host a Friendsgiving event at the Babylon location for all of The Pizzeria’s employees.
The focus on job satisfaction has yielded positive results, with employees achieving personal and professional milestones through the company’s support.
Weinstein shared the story of a former counter worker who was in law school while employed with The Pizzeria. Through a company connection, the employee secured prestigious clerkships, paving the way for a promising legal career.
“We’re creating a platform for growth, whether that means growth within the company or stepping stones to other opportunities,” Weinstein said.
As The Pizzeria continues to grow, Weinstein and his partners, including brothers Paul and Dan Saccoccio, are steadfast in their vision of fostering a sense of community in each new location.
“We aim to be more than just a place to grab a slice,” he said. “It’s about being an extension of the community, and that includes giving back. We’re a big give-back brand — helping our neighbors is part of our DNA.”
This philosophy will extend to Smithtown, where Weinstein is confident the restaurant will thrive.
“We’ve heard from customers that they want us closer to the North Shore, and Smithtown is a busy, happening place with a demographic that aligns with our other towns,” he said. “It’s the perfect next step for us.”
Babylon’s ‘The Pizzeria’ opened last spring
The Pizzeria opened its sixth restaurant last spring in Babylon. The Smithtown location will have a similar design.
The group’s Lindenhurst restaurant opened in March 2023
Top photo: The Pizzeria co-founders Cliff Weinstein and Paul Saccoccio.
