ABOUT US
Our Story
A Native of St. Louis Missouri, Jay’s passion for Pizza and the Hospitality Industry began at an early age, marking the beginning of our story. He was just 13 years old when he went to work for Angelo Ponticello at “Columbus Corners” Italian Restaurant. To say the least, Jay was hooked on the business.
The years that followed included a long career in the restaurant and hotel industry. Most recently, Jay and his wife of 35 years took a historic hotel in Iowa that was closed and revived it to a flourishing and successful operation.
The Next Slice of Our Story
Come April of 2021, we unfurled another chapter our story when the Hartz Family acquired Padula’s Pizzeria. Padula’s, a 25 year plus long-standing business, continues to serve the Hernando County area.
Jay, his wife Denise along with their Son-In-Law Gabe are hands on owner/operators at the restaurant. We look forward to serving you soon!
Why the name Padula’s Pizza?
Padula is a comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. It is the home of the Carthusian monastery Certosa di San Lorenzo, sometimes referred to as the Certosa di Padula. As of 2011 its population was of 5,279