The photo above comes from the George F. Boyer Museum.

The original location of the pizza shop on Roberts Avenue was off the north side ramp at Robert's and the Boardwalk ( the current location of Fudge Kitchen), but in 1970 the property off the south side ramp was for sale and the Mack family decided to purchase it. They had the existing building torn down and hired local contractor Don Twist to construct a three story, fire-proof structure that was large enough to accommodate several businesses as well as their own.

The pizza shop occupied the corner store and the others were leased for retail. A huge basement was built below the Boardwalk where the sauce is made and the dough is mixed. The third floor contained three large apartments where the family began living. ( Before this purchase the entire Mack family lived above the pizza shop at Wildwood Avenue.)

The first business to occupy the space next door was an ice cream parlor owned by the Mack family and operated by Rose Tata ( affectionately known as Mrs. T.) She and her husband Andrew had been on the Wildwood Boardwalk as long as the Mack's and operated several businesses over the years including the Corral and Captain Andy's which was located above Odger's Restaurant on the Beach. ( On a side note - this was the spot that the King Kong attraction stood for many years.) A few years later Mrs. T. began managing Mack's Pizza at Lincoln Avenue and then at Wildwood Avenue where you will find her seven days a week every season, March through October.

Pictured above are Duke and Charlotte Mack at the new Roberts Avenue store in 1971. The glass partition inside separated the back dining room from the counter and was removed years ago.

Darryl Mack on the peel at Roberts Ave. Photo was taken in the early 70's.

The back dining area at Roberts Avenue.

 

The Mack family lost two stores to fire over the years including Glenwood Avenue in January 1976 and Lincoln in August of 1983. Pictured to the left is just one of three fires that would threaten Wildwood Avenue which was saved only by its concrete block construction. This fire started two stores down but was quickly contained. Photo to the left comes from the George F. Boyer Museum.

Shortly after the Glenwood fire the family decided to expand the Wildwood Avenue location and opened up the second floor as a dining area overlooking the bustling Boardwalk below. Suddenly, everyone wanted to eat upstairs and the heavy traffic forced them to replace the beautiful spiral staircase with a traditional steel staircase which is still used today.