Our Journey Begins

Matt and I started this Mia’s Pizza and Eats journey back before our wedding in October of 2008. Matt had been searching for the right place to begin another pizza place for almost three years, and we found it in Cumming, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta in North Georgia, about 20 miles from Dahlonega. The place was a dump; the minute we walked in, we smelled the dusty remnants of past pizzas coming from the stained industrial carpet, and the walls in the kitchen were covered in slime, grease, and ash. The paint job in the dining area and bathrooms was horrendous, including a black ceiling and black trim.

The lease negotiations began in October, and they weren’t finalized until December. Just watching Matt go through the process was inspiring. He is completely adept at getting what he wants, and he isn’t afraid to walk away if he doesn’t get it. We got the keys December 30. He had 90 days to get the space ready, and he worked tirelessly to do so.

We opened the doors on April 8, 2009, and it was a soft open -- no advertising, no big announcement -- we just opened the doors, put out some balloons, and hoped for the best. It was spring break for most in the area, so many people were out of town. Lots of friends and family came in that first week to support us, to celebrate with us, and to offer their best. Since then, we have built up our clientele, and we keep getting busier and busier. Some have said that we have “the best pizza in town,” and that makes Matt proud to hear.