Once located on Kietzke Lane in Reno, Paulie's Pizza closed down in 2015. Now, owner Paul Archie only cooks once a year at the Silver Legacy’s annual Wing Fest. He is hoping that soon the Wing Fest won't be the only time he can take pride in his poultry.
Archie has a lineup of trophies in his living room and added one more jewel to his crown this year. As the 2014, 2015, 2016, and now 2017 ‘People’s Choice’ champion, he has mastered the classics and manipulated some straight up strange flavors.
“We got out strawberry cheesecake hot wings, salted caramel wings. Those are crowd favorites at the wing fest,” said Archie.
You would think the four time champion of the People's Choice Award would have a pretty busy restaurant, but not Paulie.
“They raised the rent on us and we just couldn't do it.”
Rising costs are the reason he closed his restaurant after being open for three years. He wants to reopen, but costs to start fresh are more than he can serve up.
“If we find a new location that needs a grease interceptor and a hood fan you're talking $20,000.”
Archie started a Go Fund Me page to try and find a way back into a brick and mortar.
“We have to find an existing place that already has that stuff put in. With the real estate going up in Reno it's kind of hard to find that right now.”
His need for financial backing is met with a fan base that never seems to simmer down and a love for the customers he calls friends.
“Owning a small family restaurant, you're never going to get rich, but to us, the people makes us rich.”
Click here for his Go Fund Me page.
