Appolonia's Pizza open in Ferrysburg
Thu, Jun 4, 2009 
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BY BRIAN KEILEN
bkeilen@grandhaventribune.com
FERRYSBURG — For Kevin Donnelly, opening a pizzeria is a family affair — and he wants his family to extend to everyone in the area.
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"We want that family atmosphere that encompasses the Tri-Cities area," said Donnelly, who recently opened Appolonia's Pizza at 115 Third St. in Ferrysburg with his wife, Jodi.
Residents of the Spring Lake area for the past 15 years, the Donnellys say it was time to share a 100-year-old recipe with the area.
"We knew we had a great recipe," said Kevin, who is also employed at a technology company. "We just want to bring our unique flavor to the area."
The recipe belonged to his Grandmother Appolonia, which she brought to the U.S. from Italy around 1910, Donnelly said. He said he can remember the smells of visiting her house when he was a child.
"You wanted to lick the walls it smelled so good," he said.
His Uncle Luigi has been successful using the recipe in pizzerias on the east side of the state, Donnelly said, and he hopes to duplicate that success in the Tri-Cities.
On the site of the former Shoreline Market, Appolonia's also serves as a convenience store, but Donnelly really wants it to give off a different vibe.
"We're trying to change up the feel," he said. "This place has always been kind of known as a 7-11 type store."
Right now, the Donnellys are leasing the space for the business — but the dream is to eventually own the building, he said.
In addition to making and delivering pizza, Appolonia's also delivers beer, wine, and grocery and convenience items — such as eggs, milk and bread. The delivery area includes all seven marinas in Northwest Ottawa County.
The pizzeria has obtained a liquor license in order to deliver the beer and wine, Donnelly said, and he's working on being allowed to deliver spirits. According to Donnelly, it's an effort to cut down on drinking and driving.
"We really want people to know if you're having a good time, stay at home, stay at your boat — and we'll do our best to accommodate you," he said.
On the Net:
www.appoloniaspizza.com
