Pizzeria Shakes Things Up

Pizza has always been special for the Thomas family. 

For years, the family would head on over to on Newark Boulevard after the children’s ballet lessons at the former Ballet Petit studio around the corner.

The pizzeria was the family’s go-to spot to spend quality time with each other and unwind.

Decades later, husband-and-wife owners Tom and Kelly Thomas are hoping to rejuvenate that family-friendly feeling back into the pizza shack.

The Thomas family began managing the eatery in May 2010 and gained full ownership in December 2010.

Customers have seen a difference in the menu, but Kelly Thomas said her staff's goal is to make the restaurant — which she calls Old Town Shakers Pizzeria — the No. 1 spot for families, friends, groups and teams of all kinds.

"We just want people to come in and we want to people to enjoy it," Kelly Thomas said. "We want to be what’s important to us, and that’s family."

Tom Thomas spends most of his days operating the pizzeria, with the help of six employees. In addition to helping manage the restaurant, Kelly Thomas also works a daytime job.

"I feel like we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing," Kelly Thomas said. "We want to celebrate everything… go back to the simple things."

Going out for pizza always marked special days in Kelly Thomas’ life. Even during her childhood years, her family went out for pizza on special occassions.

Oftentimes, it was the homecoming dinner she and her family had when her father (who died recently) returned from an out-of-town business trip.

"It was always a punctuation to a day… always a great memory," Kelly Thomas said. "If I could recreate in this place those family memories, it’ll be worth it. That’s really what I want to do."

To do so, she plans to host more social events to draw in crowds. Last week, the Thomas family held its first Family Movie Night. Kelly Thomas said she hopes to make that a weekly event on Tuesdays.

She also hopes to host family parties, sports team gatherings and more.

Shakers is open from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call 510-797-7300 or click here for the pizzeria's Facebook page.