A Few Minutes in Berlin With...

Today Berlin Patch launches a new periodic series entitled "A Few Minutes in Berlin With..." These columns will be published in interview format with a resident or small business owner in town. The opening interview is with Steven Vastakis, owner of the Pine Loft Pizzeria & Cafe at 1474 Berlin Turnpike.

Berlin Patch (BP): This is definitely a unique building. How long has it been here?

Steven Vastakis (SV): The current building went up around 2002, and was originally a coffee place owned by a builder in town who had good memories of a place in Vermont with his grandparents, and he wanted to bring that place down here. He had two kids and wanted to do an after-school special with all the town kids, and had the idea of building a log cabin on the Turnpike, a little hangout place.

BP: How did you come to discover the site and eventually purchase it?

SV: He had it for about two years or so, and then I came along and loved the place and thought it had potential. He had basically cold food, and I cam in with my pizza and restaurant experience. It was shut down for a while until I came about in 2005, and we took baby steps from there - we had entertainment and parties, then opened for business during the day and, knock on wood, we're still here for almost 12 years now.

BP: What was your previous restaurant experience?

SV: I basically grew up in the restaurant business. My parents were Greek immigrants and they wanted to have a better life. They worked in restaurants in the late 1960s and early 1970s, then had me. They saved some money and a few years later, opened up a restaurant. Going to school, I helped them out. It's in my blood.

BP: What are some of the activities and events held here?

SV: Every day we have different events - karaoke, open mic, we're doing a paint night which has become huge now. The loft upstairs or the main room downstairs are used for private functions, small birthday parties, meetings, baptisms. The Rotary Club holds its monthly meetings here.

BP: Do you offer take-out and/or delivery service?

SV: We have both. Take-out is a very big part of the business. Some people don't want to come and sit down; they prefer to enjoy their meal at the house, around the TV set, in their yards, pool parties, etc.

BP: How does a small business owner compete with the many national chains just down the Turnpike from here?

SV: We try to be consistent. I'm blessed with very loyal customers and I treat them like family - I know their kids, I know their grandparents. We try to make a product that is viable to the demographics. There are ups and downs, but so far it's been working.

BP: What are your most popular menu items?

SV: Pizzas for sure, but now with everyone becoming health-conscious, it's also salads and chickens. Gluten-free is also the way to go now.

The Pine Loft is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Table or room reservations may be made by calling 860-828-9797. More information is available at www.pineloft.com.

If you would like your small business considered for this column, or have a suggestion about an interesting person in Berlin to interview, email tim.jensen@patch.com.

Photos courtesy of Steven Vastakis