For Village Pizza owner Tony Pali, his shop is more than just a pizza joint—it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion for pizza, steeped in rich family tradition and guided by a desire for excellence.
Tony’s journey to Village Pizza began in the Bronx, where the he was raised in a family deeply rooted in the pizzeria business. His father, Tony Sr., operated pizza restaurants throughout the Bronx, uptown Manhattan, and later Spring Valley, NY – so the love for pizza was instilled in him from birth. By age 8, he was already making pies, and by 12, he was handling the family craft on weekends and school breaks.
After a brief stint owning his own pizzeria in Mount Vernon in his early 20s, Tony decided to try his hand at the corporate world, working for American Building Management (ABM) where he oversaw a large portfolio of accounts for commercial buildings in the tri-state area for nearly a decade. However, the corporate grind left him unfulfilled, so he left it to go back to what he loved and knew best – pizza.
With a desire to master the craft and create something truly special, Village Pizza opened in 2023.
At Village Pizza, every pie is made with care and attention to detail. “I really try to put the best tasting ingredients into the product. We don’t cut any corners,” Tony says. His pizza philosophy, learned from his mentor at Villa Rosa, his father’s Spring Valley pizzeria, is simple yet effective: light crust, light sauce, light toppings. This approach ensures each bite is perfectly balanced, with flavors that linger long after you’ve finished your slice.
But what truly sets Village Pizza apart is Tony’s dedication to his customers. “I want people to walk out of here saying, ‘Damn, that was money well spent,'” he explains. His goal is to create an experience that makes people feel like they’re part of something special.
When asked why he chose Nyack as the home for his business, Tony reminisces that he’s had his eye on the village for years – ever since his father owned Villa Rosa. He has always loved the historic, small-town feel where everyone knows each other. Even more notable to him are the people of Nyack, who feels are supportive and genuinely want local businesses, like his, to succeed.
“Being in Nyack has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” he shares. “It’s been one of the hardest years but also the best, because I’ve been able to establish myself. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without my staff, customers, and of course the continued support and patience of my family – my wife, Valentina, my children, Anthony and Antonella, my parents, Tony and Maria, and my sisters, Mariana and Elizabeth. They all drive me to make them proud.”
With ambitions to expand not only within Rockland County but also closer to where the Tony resides in Weehawken, NJ. He envisions growing his business by investing in his staff, turning employees into partners, and continuing to refine his craft.
One exciting initiative on the horizon is a “Taste-Off” event, where customers will have the chance to compare the current sauce with a newer version. Their feedback will help shape the future of Village Pizza, ensuring it remains a place where the community’s voice is heard—and where the pizza only gets better.
You can visit Village Pizza at 64 S. Broadway, 11am-10pm 7 days a week. Follow them on Facebook and check out their website for their latest news and promotions.
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