Old Town Pizza owner recounts buying the business; panelists stress community and loyalty

A four-person panel of local owners shared candid stories about founding and growing businesses in Auburn and how the city's tight-knit community shapes approaches to hiring, marketing and expansion.

Reese, co‑owner of Old Town Pizza, told how he and his family acquired the restaurant after being regular patrons: "On 11/02/2002 we became the owners of Old Town Pizza," he said, describing how relationships and hands‑on involvement from the community helped them scale the business. Reese and other panelists repeatedly emphasized that participation in the Chamber and local associations often drives business-to-business referrals and sustained customer loyalty.

Dimitri (who owns Surg Supply, Rig Well and Placer Innovation) and Ken (owner of several healthcare and hospitality businesses) described complementary lessons: know the market, recruit managers with the right expertise and be prepared to adapt offerings to local demand. "If you're not letting the community shape your business, you're probably not gonna be in business very long," one panelist said, underlining the recurring theme that listening to customers and participating in local institutions matters.

Panelists also described operational lessons — invest in employee training, establish clear handbooks and consider hospitality-focused programs to build soft skills among younger hires. Audience members and panelists agreed that Auburn's small size can be an advantage: repeat customers and neighborhood networks create a predictable base for trialing new services and building word-of-mouth.