New business Cooper’s Pizzeria all in the family
Christina and Jesse Cooper are the owners of the new Cooper’s Pizzeria in the Coral Gate Plaza at the corner of Pondella Road and Orange Grove Boulevard.
It’s a promising location, said the owners. Located near the border of North Fort Myers and Cape Coral, and across from the North Fort Myers Community Pool and the SHARE Club Plus North, it also has close proximity to North Fort Myers High School. They hope to be favored spot for those organizations.
The business has been long in planning for husband Jesse, said mom Christina Cooper. “To own our own business has always been his dream,” she said.
He worked for a major car company for many years, but is now devoting as much time as he can to the business, doing a variety of tasks. She manages day-to-day operations. “It’s interesting working so much with your husband,” she said. The two are there six days a week, with several friends and children helping out.
The pizzeria sports both traditional and some unusual items.
Traditional items include pizzas with all fresh ingredients. “Everything is fresh, from the dough to the sauce,” she said. There’s also an “authentic” Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich.
“They actually use Cheez Whiz and we do too,” said Christina.
There are pasta dishes, salads including an Italian antipasto, subs and sandwiches including Reubens.
“One of our more unusual items include a Bacon Cheeseburger French Fried Pizza,” said Christina. “It tastes exactly like it’s name.”
“I invented it one night,” said Jesse. “I was in the kitchen and just decided to try it out and it turned out great. It’s my favorite.”
“My personal favorite is the Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza,” Christina said.
There is also a “little tykes” menu and New York Style Cheesecake, Cannoli and Zeppoli.
“We want to be known as a family-centered restaurant. We are very big on family -we have five kids, and we think North Fort Myers is very family centered,” Christina said. “We also believe you should be able to feed your family for under $20. We now have a special where you can get two large two-topping pizzas, and order of bread sticks and two liters of soda for $18.99.”
On their time off -Sundays – they devote the whole day to family.
They are Cape Coral residents. “I grew up in Alva so I think of myself as a country girl, and Jesse grew up in the Cape, so I think of him as a city boy. It works,” Christina said.
At the pizzeria, they deliver and have daily dine-in specials. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, on Friday and Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and they are closed on Sundays.
Cooper’s Pizzeria is at 5171 Orange Grove Blvd. in North Fort Myers. The phone number is 567-COOP (2667).