New pizzeria opens in Cottam

Cottam has no stoplights and only around 2100 residents, but its 14 main street businesses are set to welcome a new kid on the block. An area franchise is rolling into Cottam. 

It has been over six years since Cottam had a pizzeria, but now the wait is over. On April 6, Original Guys Pizza Pies opened their sixth location at 127 CR 34 W. OG Pizza is the first franchised food establishment in Cottam. 

Tracy Lynn Ribble has lived in Cottam multiple times throughout the last 40 years. Over the years, Ribble has seen many businesses open and close, but she is grateful that Cottam has a pizzeria again.  

“The staff and the pizza was first class,” said Ribble. “We experienced our first pizza on the first day with my father, me, my daughter and my granddaughter.” 

For many businesses, COVID-19 presented challenges and even forced some to shut down. However, for Dustin Tir, co-owner of OG Pizza, the pandemic actually helped his business gain more customers. 

“Ever since Covid has come around, we’ve been thriving,” said Tir. “Since a lot of take-in and dine-in restaurants have been closed, a lot of people have been wanting to order out for delivery.” 

According to Larry Patterson, who is a councilor with the Town of Kingsville, Cottam’s population is on the rise compared to previous years. Patterson expects that 46 new homes will be built within the year. With more people moving to Cottam, more businesses will likely open as well.  

“You can only see where it is headed to now, and then with the other 40 something houses being put in, that’s going to free up any more space that is left in town,” said Patterson. “People will be looking to move in and open up.”  

Currently, OG Pizza and Grounded Cafe are the only businesses in Cottam where people can order food for takeout. The Grounded Cafe closes every day at 2 p.m., and OG Pizza is open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.