NORWICH – Trotta’s Apizza Pizzeria and Restaurant officially opened for business Oct. 20, offering up top quality pizza, wings, subs, Italian cuisine and more, according to owner Henry Koelle.

In its first week, the fledgling pizza parlor has garnered considerable interest, said Koelle, who added “business has been picking up a little bit every day,” as he expected it would.

The restaurant’s name – inspired by Koelle’s mother’s maiden name, Trotta – is a tribute to his family’s origins in the Town of Amalfi, located in the Campania region of southern Italy.

Before he could get started making pizzas, however, Koelle and his staff – for nearly two months – went to work cleaning and renovating extensively at the 23 South Broad St. location, which he’d found to be in serious disrepair. The improvements included a full overhaul of the kitchen, added Koelle.

Customers entering the establishment these days may find their attention drawn immediately to the large glass display case which takes up most of the counter space separating the dining room from the kitchen, chock full of a variety of pizzas, calzones, pepperoni and ham rolls and more.

“I’ve been in the pizza business for 25 years,” said Koelle, who gained the majority of his knowledge from local culinary legend Tony Nicastri. “He was like a second father to me. He and his wife taught me the value of customer service, good food, the best ingredients and restaurant etiquette.”

Koelle said he’s fully committed to his new business and the increasing number of customers who are beginning to walk through the door. He also commented that “cleanliness is a priority” and he wished to provide a casual, comfortable and family-oriented environment at the restaurant.

Trotta’s Apizza will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The pizzeria offers free delivery from 11 a.m. to close and will feature daily lunch and dinner specials. For more information call 336-2345.