The Shadow
Michael and Bonnie Keyser plan to move Michael’s New York Style Pizza from 127 Prospect Street in Covington to 128 S. Highland Ave. in the former Pizza Hut building across from Hardees.
Michael and Bonnie, a retired teacher who taught art at Alleghany High School, also own Michael’s New York Style Pizza on Ridgeway Street in Clifton Forge across the street from ACE Hardware.
Michael remarked, “We have plans to build a party room onto the (new) building.”
The new location for the couple’s business will speed up the process of making pizzas.
Michael noted, “We are installing four new pizza ovens, and that will double what we are now able to produce.
The opening has been delayed because of the interruption of the delivery system brought about by COVID-19.
Michael observed, “We are waiting for the rest of our equipment to come in, and it has been delayed as have so many other things during the pandemic.”
The new location represents more than $100,000 investment for remodeling the building and equipping it with new ovens and furniture.
As for franchising the business, Michael admitted, “We have no plans for franchising our business, but we would like to expand it by opening one near the Homestead in Warm Springs.”
Michael has two stepchildren who help run the businesses, Jim Hodges, 41; and Christie Hodges, 40. Both are Bonnie’s children from a previous marriage.
In addition to serving as general manager of the Magnuson Hotel for Dr. Krishna Sankar, he and Bonnie lease the restaurant and bar sections of the hotel facility.
Besides being in the pizza business, Michael serves as vice-president of Lewis Lloyd, Inc. Taxi Service located in Covington.
Michael concluded, “Right now the price for food is high.”
The outside of the former Pizza Hut building has been painted a different color, and a new sign has been erected along with a banner, “Michael’s Pizza Coming Soon.”
