About Us

The Original Italian Pizza in Bloomsburg, PA has been a family-owned business and community staple since 1997. In October of 2022, the next generation of owners, Argentina E. La Fata (daughter of Joe & Edith La Fata) and her fiancé, Michael Newkirk, purchased the establishment and have been operating it ever since.

Argentina has been involved with the restaurant since the age of 14 and continued to be an integral piece of the operations all while pursuing a successful career in the nursing field. 

Michael, originally from southern NJ, has been dedicated to the back of the house operations of the hospitality industry since the age of 14. He has been an Executive Chef, since the age of 22, in a variety of kitchens ranging from fine dining mom and pop, to high end corporate dining cafes and upscale high-volume restaurants in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. 

Together, they are determined to keep the classic traditions of authentic and artisanal hand-crafted recipes while focusing on execution, customer service and bringing OIP into the 21st century. This is being accomplished by implementing a phone system upgrade, installing ‘smart’ devices, introducing a point-of-sale system, integrating a delivery mapping system and developing their very own App for ordering food, loyalty and simplicity. Other programs include custom catering menus for both in house and offsite functions, tax emption benefits for educational institutions and the ever popular ‘ambassador’ program.

Extended History:

 Brooklyn 1987, Edith, a Salvadorian refugee, walked into a pizza shop and met Giuseppe, a Sicilian born pizza maker. The love language of food brought them to Bloomsburg in the winter of 1997, where they bought a little sub shop on the outskirts of downtown Bloomsburg. Almost 26 years later, the Original Italian Pizza continues to create an atmosphere that values hard work, dedication and above all else, famiglia.