The Lost Resorts and Cottages of West Bank Road

A Visual History of the Sunrise Shoreline of Grand Lake Saint Marys – Celina, Ohio

By Dave Distler

In late 1957, George and Arline Donisi of Dayton made plans to open a new Pizzeria restaurant in Celina well before most Americans had even tried Pizza. At 937 West Bank Road, Pizza by Donisi opened up and served the community with a new food taste at very reasonable prices. Many locals stopped in after a ball game or shopping to savor this new food treat with friends and family. It was a community gathering place.

Word began spreading about this new delicious pizza that featured a thin, salty and crunchy crust, toppings heaped on all the way to the edges and small square easy to eat slices. The business became successful enough that it added pasta and sub sandwiches. In 1962, another location in Greenville was opened to meet the growing demand. George and Arline also stocked many local stores with frozen pizza for the bake-at-home crowd.

What was not known at the time, is Pizza by Donisi was the second oldest Pizzeria to serve what is now known nationally as Dayton Style Pizza. Vic Cassano and Mom Donisi opened their Pizzeria in Kettering in 1953. In 1963 and 1964 Dayton’s Marion’s Piazza, Ron’s Pizza and Columbus’ Donatos opened their doors although the latter has been referred to as Columbus Style by their fans.

Turns out, Mom Donisi was George’s Aunt. But George had used a competing family recipe from his mother Nancy Donisi, whom was Mom’s sister in law. This caused some family consternation, but George and Arline felt Celina was far enough away from Kettering that peace would remain in the family; and for the most part it did.

Towards the early 70’s George and Arline were approaching retirement but their kids had moved away seeking their own fortunes. There we no kids to leave the business to per Italian family tradition. Financial difficulty lead to the closing of Pizza by Donisi by 1976 ending a memorable run in Celina of just under 20 years. There is no doubt that Pizza by Donisi would be successful in today’s market with Cassano’s, Marion’s, Ron’s and Donatos, but George and Arline are long gone. However, the recipe was written down, so the tradition could continue after a 40 plus year absense. Stranger things have happened.