Napoleon's  Pizza

Napoleon's Pizza conquers Parma with new lunchtime hours.

 

PARMA, Ohio – Dave Lahman never cooked a pizza before he bought Napoleon’s Pizza on State Road about 10 years ago.

 

But from a business standpoint, Lahman was prepared. Earlier in life, he had owned a trucking business, although he had to sell it when the economy soured 20 years ago.

 

For a while, Lahman worked for the American Red Cross helping to set up bloodmobiles. However, he kept looking for another business opportunity.

 

“Years ago, when I was still in the U.S. Marine Corps, someone advised me that if I ever open a business, make it a pizza shop,” Lahman said. “It’s always profitable.”

 

So when Lahman and his wife Marie heard that Napoleon’s was for sale, they stopped by. They liked what he saw.

 

The Lahmans also liked what they tasted. The previous owners taught them how to make the pizza that made Napoleon’s famous. After a week of training, the Lahmans were ready to go.

 

“We made a few mistakes in the beginning but we’re quick learners,” Lahman said. “Everything started to pan out.”

 

 

Napoleon’s has a full line of specialty pizzas. It also bakes deep-dish Sicilian and Chicago pizzas.

 

Napoleon’s has just started serving lunch.

 

“There are a lot of offices and businesses around here,” Lahman said. “Everybody’s got to eat.”

 

The Lahmans – including Dave’s and Marie’s sons David and Joseph – pride themselves on customer service. They hand out lollipops to the kids and discount cards to adults.

 

“When a customer comes in, we treat them like gold,” Lahman said.

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