Congressman Makes Pizza, Delivery For Stamford Pizzeria

STAMFORD, CT — Visitors to a popular downtown Stamford pizzeria may have noticed a familiar face helping out on Tuesday: U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who stopped by the Original Pappa's Pizza Downtown to meet with owner Harry Zopounidis and his employees. He also took time to lend a hand.

Himes, who is currently serving his sixth term representing Connecticut’s 4th District in the United States House of Representatives, stopped by as part of his Jim On Your Job series, in which he visits local businesses to see firsthand how they run and speak with workers there.

Pappa's is located at 201 Main Street and has been serving customers in Stamford for nearly 60 years. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Apparently we’re doing something right to be here for so long," Zopounidis said.

The purpose of Himes' visit, according to the Democratic representative, was to highlight the good work that local businesses are doing in the community, learn from them and get some fantastic pizza to boot.

"My favorite part of my job has always been the great people I meet," Himes said in an email. "I’ve also always been very focused on how best to identify challenges that people in my district are facing and how to best create solutions together. The Jim on Your Job series combines those two things, allowing me to hear straight from the source how government can serve business and workers better."

Zopounidis said Himes is "a pepperoni guy," so that was the pie he was asked to make. He also made a delivery.

Himes confirmed he usually goes for pepperoni when ordering a pizza, ideally with crispy edges.

"I’m a traditionalist in that way," Himes said, "and it lets you know how each different pizza shop handles the basics."

According to Himes, helping out with some of the food preparation brought him back to his youth working in a pizzeria, however the most valuable use of his time was talking with the staff.

Zopounidis said he discussed a number of things with Himes, including how many people he had working at Pappa's. When Zopounidis told him it was seven, Himes said he was was delighted to hear that seven families were being supported by small businesses.

"[Himes] was great. He was very relaxed and easy to talk to," Zopounidis said. "We need more of that; seeing how small businesses work and what it takes to run them."

Himes said he had been to Pappa's before, due in part to its convenient location right down the street from his office, and called it a "Stamford institution."

"I think everyone who has spent a significant amount of time in Stamford has been to Pappa’s for pizza or a calzone," Himes said. "Before my visit, I didn’t realize that it was family run business. You never fully have appreciation for a business until you pull back the curtain and see how it operates day-to-day."

As for where his series will take him next, Himes said he is always open to new ideas and encourages businesses across the district to reach out to his staff with suggestions.