A Slice of New York brings Big Apple pizzas to Manor
Sean Jefairjian’s dream of opening a pizza shop was partially because of frustration.
“It’s very hard to find a traditional New York pie,” he said.
A native of the Bronx, Jefairjian has lived in Southwestern Pennsylvania for 20 years. There are a few places in the region to get pizza that tastes like it came from the Big Apple, but none close to his home in Penn Township, he said.
That’s one of the reasons he quit his job this year to open A Slice of New York in Manor.
Jefairjian’s first job in this area was at Osteria Pasqualino restaurant in Murrysville, where he learned the ins and outs of running a pizzeria. He eventually switched careers, working for an online university, but after a while he found the work draining.
His wife, Jessica Jefairjian, said she had no doubts when he told her he wanted to quit his job.
“I was in immediately because he’d always wanted to do it,” she said.
She helps at the shop, as do their children, Dylan and Skyler.
The couple also own Nailing It Salon in Murrysville.
Jefairjian quit his job in April and opened A Slice of New York in August.
It’s paid off so far. Jefairjian hoped to start small by selling 35 pizzas a night. Before long, he was selling 50 a night — 75 on weekends — selling out almost every evening.
“It’s been just incredible,” he said.
His timing was fortuitous. The coronavirus pandemic has been horrible for many businesses, but pizza joints have thrived. In a world without indoor dining, pizza was poised for dominance.
National pizza chains Papa John’s, Domino’s and Pizza Hut all reported skyrocketing revenue this year, according to Fortune. Papa John’s hired 20,000 new employees between March and June.
Jefairjian has tried to create a New York feel in the restaurant. The walls are lined with Mets and Yankees memorabilia. But the most important aspects of New York are in the pizza, Jefairjian said. He uses the same ingredients as many New York pizzerias. “I won’t say our pizza is better or worse than any other pizza, but it’s different,” he said. “It’s New York pizza made with New York products by a New Yorker.”
He loves his new life, he said.
“None of the last four months has felt like work,” he said.
He plans to scale up the business eventually, perhaps opening a second location, but for now he plans to take it slow.
A Slice of New York is open 3-10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 12-10 p.m. Saturdays, and 12-8 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Mondays.
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