Newport Pizza Co. adds locally owned pizzeria to Monmouth

Following a complete renovation of the retail space at 601 Monmouth Street in Newport, the exterior building now resembles the comfortable pizzeria it houses.  Previously, the building was used by a catering business which has since relocated presenting an opportunity for this highly visible corner space that proved irresistible to co-owners of Newport Pizza Co. Lee Kinzer and Mike Westrich.

Inside you can find Cincinnati-based artwork that remains from the previous owners. Kinzer says that it shows the connection the restaurant has with Cincinnati.  “We can see and hear the fireworks after a Reds game and can see the Carew Tower from the front of our building.”

The restaurant seats around 50 people and boasts several flat-screen TVs, outdoor seating along Monmouth, a bar and is smoke-free.

“We want to be a neighborhood pizza parlor,” says Kinzer who also sees the opportunity to help draw traffic from Newport on the Levee further south along Monmouth.  We offer great food, a comfortable atmosphere and good prices," says Kinzer and Westrich.

The pizzeria has been open for a couple of weeks and is already seeing great business according to the owners.  “We seeing repeat business left and right, and things really couldn’t be going much better right now,” says Kinzer.

The menu for Newport Pizza Co. offers more than the original pizza recipes drawn up by Mr. Westrich including sandwiches, salads and appetizers.  Also available is a limited selection of wines and a wide variety of micro-brews that any beer connoisseur can appreciate.

The food at Newport Pizza Co. is prepared fresh daily.  Each day the owners and their staff of five employees prepare the dough, pizza sauce, meatballs and even grate all the cheese.

The comfortable atmosphere makes the restaurant a perfect group hang-out location where you can enjoy pizza, beer and good times.  The current operating hours are 11am to 11pm Monday through Thursday, and 11am to 1pm Friday and Saturday.

Newport Pizza Co. does not currently offer delivery, but it may be an option the owners look into as the business continues to evolve.

Writer: Randy Simes
Source: Lee Kinzer and Mike Westrich, co-owners, Newport Pizza Co.
Photography by Randy Simes