This Business Spotlight series is sponsored by Bulloch Solutions.
Since at least 2006, Nick Newkirk has dreamed of having a sit down, family-style restaurant where people could hang out, mingle with their neighbors, and enjoy good pizza.
“He always wanted a place where people hang out after games, after church, after events, where people could come, grab a pizza, and run into their neighbors,” Nick’s wife, April, said when TheGeorgiaVirtue stopped in for a post-grand opening visit.
Now, that vision has taken shape in the heart of Brooklet.
Little Nicky’s Pizzeria has been a hands-on labor of love since 2022, built piece by piece as the Newkirk family juggled everyday life and other business ventures. They’ve carefully crafted every detail – from the warm, welcoming interior to the thoughtfully curated menu – all in pursuit of bringing their own take on “Brooklet Style” pizza to the community they love.
With sauces made in-house, dough balls cured on site, and fresh veggies chopped by hand, the selection of pizzas offered comes from good old-fashioned polling: taste testing by family and neighbors. They later acquainted staff with the menu by doing the same and have made it a tradition to serve ‘family meals’ at the end of each shift for staff to enjoy and take home.
Little Nicky’s employs roughly fifteen people, most of whom are high school and college students working their first job, including some work-based learning students from area high schools. Nick said the business is one where their younger employees can learn life skills, such as how to work for somebody, how to manage others, and about the entrepreneurial spirit.
Well-Received by the Community
Little Nicky’s had three soft openings to train staff and iron out the kinks before they officially opened the doors. On the day of the first soft opening, pizzas sold out in ten minutes. The second and third soft openings followed suit. By the time the grand opening rolled around, things were running smoothly and they had a line out the door.
Nick and April said they already have ‘regulars’ who frequent the restaurant as the dining room sees a steady flow of patrons, too.
“It was a divine peace,” April said. “When we opened, it was perfect. Everything fell into place the way that it should have. It’s a real labor of love.”
As with any new restaurant, Little Nicky’s has been taking feedback on a rolling basis as they roll…the dough…with the punches that come learning how to best serve the community.
“That, to me, is about getting better with every pie that we serve,” April said, noting that all of their customers have been patient and gracious.
Looking Ahead
Little Nicky’s already has plans for growth. They’re expanding their menu as they fine tune what they already offer and plan to move from five days for dinner to six days with lunch, dinner, and more weekly specials. Personal pan pizzas, wings, ice cream, and wine are already on deck and card games are around the restaurant to ensure no one’s in a hurry to leave – unless it’s takeout, of course.
Drive by during peak hours and you’ll see the outdoor patio full of guests and kids scribbling with chalk on the sidewalk. Eventually, the patio will be extended and live musicians will be featured as well.
“It’s just a place for people to come together and enjoy a good pizza,” Nick said. “We just can’t say enough about the community. The community has been so great.”
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