Photo courtesy of Amanda Thames.
Amanda Thames.
Amanda Thames is co-owner of Davenport’s Pizza Palace in Mountain Brook and the Vestavia City Center.
Q: Tell us briefly about the restaurant.
A: Davenport's Pizza was started in 1964 by my grandparents, Rex and Ardyce Hollis, and they lived in an apartment across the street and would go door to door bringing pizza so that neighbors could try it.
Q: What is your favorite item on the menu and why?
A: A Rex Special, named after my grandfather. … It's sausage, green pepper and onion.
Q: What sets you apart from your competitors?
A: We're family owned. We've been around for 60 years, and so there's a lot of nostalgia there; people have been coming for decades and enjoying our pizza.
Q: How’d you get started in the industry?
A: I grew up eating Davenport's Pizza as a little kid, of course, and worked there in high school to make a little extra spending money. And I've been on the operation side about 14 years now.
Q: What’s your favorite part about working in the industry?
A: The people, starting with our staff. We have an amazing staff; some have been with us for years or even decades, and we couldn't do what we do without them. And, of course, our customers.
Q: Anything new or upcoming we should know?
A: We're excited to celebrate our 60th anniversary at our Mountain Brook location this year. … And, if you wanna try the same great pizza at a new location, come check out Vestavia. We'd love to have you and we love being there as well.
