New owner of Lanciano Wood-Fired Catering brings experience to the plate

JACKSON TWP. ‒ A new owner with plenty of catering and food industry experience has purchased Lanciano Wood-Fired Pizza.

Christine Schneider, whose parents own That Little Italian Kitchen, bought the specialty catering business from founder Scott Fehlman.

Lanciano uses a custom-built, wood-fired oven to bake fresh pizza and specialty breads. Fehlman provided pizzas for graduation, retirement and birthday parties, as well as tailgating, wedding receptions and other events for a dozen years.

Because of the wood-fired oven, the business catered outdoor events from late March through early October. Schneider said she is lining up events for next year.

Schneider has been involved with catering for several years at local businesses and with her parents' restaurant. Mike and Therese have operated That Little Italian Kitchen, at 5730 Fulton Drive NW, since 2008.

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The Schneiders and Fehlman knew each other through catering at the same events over the years. Earlier this year, Fehlman let Therese Schneider know he was considering selling the business and a deal came together.

Buying Lanciano is an opportunity as well as a "passion project," Christine Schneider said. "We love Italian food and this is a great addition."

Lanciano Wood-Fired Catering and the family restaurant will remain separate businesses, Christine said. But Lanciano will be offering gelato from That Little Italian Kitchen kitchen on its menu. While Schneider might add a few items to the menu, she said, no major changes are planned for the catering business.

Fehlman, who works as a food sales representative, started the business after seeing a similar catering business operated by a Cleveland-area chef who his company's customer. Fehlman worked with the chef, observed his operation and was inspired to start his own.

He named the business Lanciano in honor of his father-in-law, Luigi Antonelli, who was from Lanciano, Italy. The business was something that Fehlman did on weekends and it helped put his children through college.

He had intended to sell the business when he reached his mid-50s, and knew there was someone like Christine who could take it over and run with it.

Fehlman said wood-fired pizza catering worked because it was something different from the usual catering fare, such as chicken and pasta. He offered a variety of pizza options, along with salad and desserts.

As for Schneider, pizza is her favorite food, be it New York style, Chicago deep dish or any other style. "I don't think I've ever had a bad slice," she said.

Alliance insurance agency sold

Barnett Insurance Agency has been purchased by Canfield-based Gem-Young Insurance & Wealth Advisors.

Linda Harris, owner of Barnett Insurance, said combining with Gem-Young will give the agency an opportunity to offer clients expanded insurance products and services. Barnett Insurance, at 1563 W. State St., has served clients in the Alliance area since 1937.

Harris and the Barnett team will continue to service clients as part of the Gem-Young team, Leo Daprile Sr. said in a press release announcing the deal.

"We’ve known each other many years and have shared many of the same core values of integrity, respect, and professionalism," Daprile said. "We are also excited about the geographic expansion that gives our company the opportunity to grow and diversify our client base."

Remodel work complete at Walmart on west side

Walmart celebrated last Friday the completion of a renovation at its store at 4004 Tuscarawas St. W in Canton.

The changes — new fixtures, lighting and signs inside the store and a transformation of front — offer a fresh look for customers and help employees get customers what they want when they want it, store manager Daniella Cozart said in a press release.

The store next to the Canton Centre Mall opened in 2005. As part of the celebration, Walmart recognized employees who have been with the store since it opened, as well as some who have more than 20 years with the retailer.

Walmart also presented presented grants to several community organizations: $4,500 to the Canton Police Department; $2,500 to the Canton Fire Department; $2,500 to McKinley High School; and $1,500 to North Canton Schools.

Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com On Twitter: @epritchardREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Lanciano Wood-Fired Pizza catering business has a new owner