Newport Pizza Co. adds locally owned pizzeria to Monmouth

Following a complete renovation the retail space at 601 Monmouth Street, in Newport, now resembles the comfortable pizzeria it houses.  Previously the building was used by a catering business which has since relocated, presenting an opportunity for this highly visible corner space that could not be passed up by co-owners of Newport Pizza Co. Lee Kinzer and Mike Westrich.

Inside you can find Cincinnati artwork that includes a painting across the main wall that was there previously and has been preserved and used as a focal point of the new dining space.  Kinzer says that it shows the connection the restaurant has with Cincinnati.  “We can see and hear the fireworks after a Reds game and can see the Carew Tower from the front of our building.”

Lee and Mike were both previously working in the restaurant industry and have known each other for over 20 years, and currently live in nearby communities.  This relationship is what led to the creation of this new locally owned pizzeria in the heart of Newport.

The restaurant seats around 50 people and boasts several flat-screen TVs, outdoor seating along Monmouth, a bar and is smoke-free.

“We want to be a neighborhood pizza parlor,” says Kinzer who also sees the opportunity to help draw traffic from Newport on the Levee further south along Monmouth.  We offer great food, a comfortable atmosphere and good prices says Kinzer and Westrich.

The pizzeria has been open for a couple of weeks now and is already seeing great business according to the owners.  “We seeing repeat business left and right, and things really couldn’t be going much better right now,” says Kinzer.

The menu for Newport Pizza Co. does offer more than the original pizza recipe drawn up by Mr. Westrich including sandwiches, salads and appetizers.  Also available is a limited selection of wines and a wide variety of micro-brews that any beer connoisseur can appreciate, and that the co-owners look at as a great pairing with their pizza.

The food at Newport Pizza Co. is prepared fresh daily with their unique recipes.  Each day the owners and their staff of 5 employees come in and make all the dough, pizza sauce, meatballs and even grate all the cheese.

The comfortable atmosphere makes it a great group hang out spot where you can grab some pizza, beer and good times.  The current operating hours are 11am to 11pm Monday through Thursday, and 11am to 1pm Friday and Saturday.

Newport Pizza Co. does not currently offer delivery, but it may be an option that the owners look into as the business continues to evolve.

Writer: Randy Simes
Source: Lee Kinzer and Mike Westrich, co-owners, Newport Pizza Co.
Photography by Randy Simes