Today we’d like to introduce you to David Cappi.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Technically my love affair with pizza started in 1979 when I would cut out of high school at lunch recess and walk to the local pizza parlor in my hometown of Scarsdale, NY for a slice. Moving to Atlanta in 1983 to attend Ga Tech found me with slim pickings in the pizza market. Back then there was Franco’s and Fellini’s. Being a starving college student, I got a job cooking at Fellini’s where they taught me the truly fine art of making pizza.
Post college found me with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in one hand and nothing but time in the other. So where do young men from Tech go when they have time? Athens! My two buddies and I found a location across from the University and opened up our own in place 1988 with $15,000.00 each in borrowed money. Oh, and If you’re wondering about the name – well Fellini was a great film director AND a great pizzeria – you can put the rest together from there!
Since then we have literally spent decades learning about food and wine and all the not so exciting parts of running and building restaurants. We have evolved from a small pizzeria to 4 full service restaurants offering traditional and eclectic homemade Italian food. Our latest project was the expansion into Dacula after almost 30 years of running our 3 locations in Athens.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Struggles? Honestly who doesn’t have them – and really who wants to hear about mine! I think anyone that has been in business for themselves for 30 years has to say in general that it was the hardest fought – smooth road ever travelled!
I am not alone in the thought that running a restaurant and having a family are at once symbiotic and self negating. The hours away (6 am to midnight or later) can truly hurt but the flexibility is a marvel – plus who doesn’t want to be the guy that always brings pizza to the party (birthdays, soccer, swim team, awards night)? I was always a hit and the smiles made it all worthwhile.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with DePalma’s Italian Cafes – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Everybody yearns for that place in their neighborhood where they feel like they’re eating at home – the neighborhood restaurant where they know your name and your order. We have been lucky enough to become that place in every neighborhood we serve.
We have seen three generations of customers grow up before us. We have hosted more wedding proposals and rehearsal dinners than I can count and have closed our doors to the public when we lost close friends and the family asked to gather at their favorite place to remember the times they had with them.
Yes – we offer good food & drink, but I like to think we specialize in the people and the time spent together.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our 4th location, and first in the Atlanta area market, is our main focus right now. This was a pretty big change for me and my staff and we want to get it right. Too many companies expand without looking back to make sure the caboose is still attached so to speak. We are focusing on integrating all of our locations and creating a cohesive team with which we can grow organically in the future. While I spent 2016 looking ahead and opening our Dacula store this year I’m making sure to check on that caboose while we pick up steam.
Pricing:
- Lunches $7-$12
- Dinner Entrees: $11-$18
- Beer $3-$6, Wine BTG $7-$9 BTB $28-$80
Contact Info:
- Address: 1862 Auburn Rd., Dacula, GA 30019
- Website: www.depalmasitaliancafe.com
- Phone: (678) 804-9275
- Email: depalmasviii@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DePalmasDacula/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
