Photo by Jenn Ginley
By Rod Bacon
When Walt Brownell realized there was a dearth of pizzerias and grocery stores in the Town of Greenfield he filled the void by opening Vicki’s Pizzeria & Market.
“There were no pizzerias in the immediate area and the only nearby store selling groceries is a Stewart’s Shop in Greenfield Center. People have to go to Saratoga Springs or Corinth to find a large grocery store,” said Brownell. “Our grocery department is fully stocked with most items a household needs.”
This includes a large variety of deli meats, Cabot cheeses, milk, bread, cereal, soap and paper products. Also available in the deli department are wings, smoked brisket, corned beef, and breakfast sandwiches. For $12 customers can get a foot-long, fully stacked sub.
“We’re new to the grocery business so we’re taking suggestions from customers about what they’d like us to add to our inventory,” Brownell said.
The pizzeria offers 24-cut, 12-cut, and six-cut Sicilian pies, as well as medium and large New Yorkers. Prices range from $11 to $24.
Delivery for both pizzeria and grocery items is available within a seven-mile radius.
Brownell is not new to the restaurant business. He started cooking as a teenager at Leo’s Diner in Ballston Spa, where he learned to make his pizza sauces and Italian meatballs. Later, he owned a pizzeria in Galway and another in Duanesburg, both of which he sold to finance his latest venture.
He has two employees, George Goss and Tony Ippoliti. Goss worked with him at Leo’s and also has experience in the grocery business, so he is responsible for that part of the enterprise. Brownell trained Ippoliti, who worked for him at his previous pizzerias. Brownell’s wife, Vicki, is also part of the business as well as being the inspiration for its name.
Vicki’s is housed in a building that had been vacant for some time. Brownell and his staff did all the renovations themselves while trying to retain the building’s character.
So far the response has been extremely good, according to Brownell.They held a soft opening March 20 and a day-long grand opening celebration March 27 that was attended by many community residents.
“We have been very busy since we opened,” said Brownell. “As a matter of fact, we’re currently looking for help.”
Town of Greenfield Supervisor Kevin Veitch views the opening of Vicki’s as a real benefit to the area.
“We’re a small town and we don’t have a lot of big stores so having these small businesses flourish is a big deal for us,” he said.
He noted that because they have a well-stocked grocery department that offers home delivery it is a real benefit for area residents, especially the elderly or those with mobility issues.
He is also confident that the business will succeed.
“That building had several other businesses in it that failed, but Walt and his staff have years of experience in the restaurant industry so I’m sure they will last,” he said.
Veitch attended one of the opening ceremonies and said a lot of town residents came by to offer their support and wish the owners success.
The business is located at 361 Porter Corners Road in Greenfield. They are open seven days a week from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Depending upon what the community wants they may close on Mondays.
Currently, there is no website.