HomeMade Pizza Company. It started with an idea and 13 years later it’s a community sensation. That’s what it looked like to me when I went to their grand opening on Wells Street. People were lined up all the way down the block. What for? Why for pizza of course. (An institution in this fair town. Truly.) But lets back up a moment. What makes this pizza soooo special? Well, the secret ingredients in this pizza, that make it so desirable, are heart, determination, and courage. Owner and creator Eric Fosse got his heart set on an idea, then he had the courage to dig in deep to bring his idea to life, and lastly, despite pitfalls, he remained determined to see it through. Eric holed up in his basement with his brother in-law for two years mixing, experimenting, crafting and creating the perfect recipes to feed his dream. He opened his first store and guess what?…it wasn’t a hit. So of course he decided to…open another one. No, I am serious. As he says it, he was too fool hearty to quit. Now there are 18  HomeMade Pizza Co. stores in Illinois alone! Plus there are additional locations in Minnesota, and Washington D.C. (Doesn’t look very foolish to me!)

This dream hasn’t been a singular effort. It’s been a true labor of family love. From Eric’s wife, to his brother in-law, to his daughters. It wouldn’t have come to fruition without the sacrifices and selfless contributions of the entire family. It takes a village to raise a dream.

I’m all about families, especially giving families back time. I think it’s the greatest gift they can receive. That’s another reason why I am really hip to the idea of HomeMade Pizza Company. I can call and order just what I need for my family, and pick it up on the way. At home, while we are all getting settled down and washed up, our dinner prepares itself, (with a little help form a hot oven.) It’s hot, fresh, and most importantly, easy. Woo Hoo! Love that. Because truly, I have to get dinner on the table in 15 minute or less or else my children will start to eat each other. (You think I’m kidding.)

At the grand opening event in Old Town they had a truck full of fresh tomatoes to illustrate HomeMade Pizza Company’s commitment to local produce, and fresh ingredients. They were giving out cartons to everyone. (Hey, you had me at tomato!) Keep in mind, they don’t just have pizza’s, they have salads. $3 salads Monday’s through Wednesday’s this Summer as a matter of fact. And then there are the homemade cookies! (BONUS!) I would show you a picture of the finished product, (which I was given as a gift when I attended the grand opening), but my children gobbled it up as soon as I took it out of the oven. (They have the third degree burns on the roofs of their mouths to prove it.)

So when you go to a HomeMade Pizza Co. you aren’t just buying a freshly prepared pizza ready to go home with you, and come to life in your oven. No, you are bringing home a pie that is a slice of an even bigger pie in the sky dream. A dream that has come down to earth and become an appetizing reality for your community and for your family. Homemade dreams, HomeMade Pizza.

SMILE On!

ML

This is a Level 1 Post: Some or all of the products or services mentioned were provided to Miss Lori free of charge.

Miss Lori can be found Musing from her Minivan at MissLori.TV , Wearetherealdeal.com , YoungChicagonista , ChicagoMomsBlog , and ChicagoMoms.com. She is the Chicago Family Entertainment Blogger for Examiner.com and a Discussion Leader for MomsLikeMeChicago. You can also see her Activating to Be Great at Miss Lori’s CAMPUS on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.