Mark and Becky Brown of Rock Spring see sharing the gift of food as their love language. They've hosted big family Thanksgivings and done catering for others, but making the jump to opening up their own restaurant took some time.
While traveling about two years ago, Mark, a commercial pilot, came across a Your Pie quick-service Italian restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. The couple had already been thinking about opening their own eatery, and the cozy atmosphere and food of Your Pie pushed them over the edge.
When trying to find a storefront locally, they ran into lease and landlord issues, they said, but they never became discouraged.
"If a door opens, it opens," said Becky Brown, 49.
They opened Your Pie on Battlefield Parkway in August, on Mark's 53rd birthday.
"It's a day he'll never forget," his wife said with a smile.
Staff photo by Sabrina Bodon / Becky and Mark Brown, owners of Your Pie in Fort Oglethorpe, say they love their build-your-own thin-crusted pizzas.Your Pie has options to build your own pizza, pasta or panini, or order from a signature menu. Customers can choose all the meats, vegetables and sauces to deck out their meals.
"I always say you're your own chef," Mark Brown said.
The menu also includes options of vegan cheese and gluten-free pizza crust, which has brought in many repeat customers, said his wife.
"I've had people come in who have dietary restrictions and be able to eat a whole pizza for the first time in years," Becky Brown said.
One of her favorite parts about owning a restaurant is connecting with the community. In the short time they've been open, she said she's already met and memorized the order of regulars.
Helping to draw repeat customers, they've started trivia nights on Thursday and bring in live music on the weekends, and they're looking forward to warmer weather and getting their patio back open.
Your Pie opens every day at 11 a.m., closing most days at 9 p.m., except on Friday and Saturday when the restaurant closes at 10 p.m. And almost every day, customers can find Mark up front and Becky in the back, usually prepping ingredients, she said.
Email Sabrina Bodon at sbodon@timesfreepress.com