Pizzeria Franchise Owner Recounts Long History

River Forest Leaves:

Virgil Gerin, who holds the first license in the Armand’s Pizzeria franchise, provided some history.

The original restaurant opened in 1965 when childhood friends Michael Caringella and Armand Christopher purchased The Victory Tap in Elmwood Park.

Caringella worked at his family’s butcher shop on Taylor Street and Christopher was a successful artist.

They incorporated both of these things into their new venture. Caringella brought his experience and family recipes into the kitchen where he created many of the items on Armand’s menu, and Christopher exhibited his original artwork in the main dining room. Full story.

Photo: Suzanne Tennant.

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