Corcoran Pizza Factory celebrated 30 years in business Monday, May 16. The neighborhood pizza parlor has successfully captured the taste-buds and hearts of those in Corcoran.
In addition to serving fresh, handmade pizzas, calzones, pastas and salads, Corcoran Pizza Factory has sponsored school events, youth sports leagues and other local initiatives to support families in the area.
Owned by Troy and Rochelle VanVelson, Corcoran Pizza Factory even started a No Bully Zone, which is committed to putting an end to bullying in schools and throughout the community.
Troy bought Pizza Factory from Roger Gange nearly 18 years ago. He will celebrate his 18th year as owner in September. Gange owned the pizza parlor for 11 years after buying it from the original owner Alan Dubois, who had it for one year.
Since moving to Corcoran 18 years ago, Troy has become very involved in the community. He was named Man of the Year in 2009. He currently sits on the Corcoran Planning Commission and J. G. Boswell Scholarship Committee. He is a member of the Corcoran Rotary Club, sponsors local sports teams from the RAC and Little League. Corcoran Pizza Factory also has provided two $250 scholarships to Corcoran High School seniors for the past 28 years. They have supported the Brandon McBride Memorial Scholarship Fund, CHS Sober Grad and Career Day events. Pizza Factory has also held fundraisers for track, cheerleading programs, football, Corcoran High classes and various other clubs.
Rochelle VanVelson was Corcoran’s Woman of the Year in 2013. In addition to what the business sponsors, she is also the vice-president of the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce, and sits on the Corcoran Museum Committee’s board of directors. She is president of Corcoran 4-H and has been involved in Blue Dolphins, has supported Corcoran Rotary events and is President of CAST.
The couple makes their home in Corcoran with their daughters Bailey and Grace.
Pizza Factory is located at 1117 Whitley Avenue and is open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
