Today, I’ll highlight a business familiar to all the pizza lovers in Villa Park: Billy’s Pizza Dugout, 332 E. St. Charles Road. Billy Peplowski is the hard-working owner of this pizzeria with a baseball theme. Baseball and pizza are two passions for Peplowski, so why not combine them? It’s worked very well for him. In fact, Billy’s is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Villa Park this year.

Peplowski certainly knows his craft.

“I started making pizzas in Highland Park back in high school at a place called Il-Forno Pizza. They are still in business. I’ve been making pizzas for over 20 years and worked in four different stores before starting up my own business. We have an outstanding location on St. Charles Road, and Villa Park has been a great place to bring my craft,” he said.

We are lucky to have a great selection of pizza places in Villa Park from which to choose, but that means there’s also great competition for the pizzerias, something Peplowski acknowledges.

“We do have competition in Villa Park but all businesses face competition so if you offer a great product at a valued price people come back and they tell friends and family,” he said.

Peplowski credits his strong, loyal customer base for his success.

If you haven’t checked out Billy’s lunch special be sure to do so. It’s a great deal and very popular. The restaurant offers two giant slices of pizza for $2.99. Add a pop and its only 50 cents more. There have been days I stopped by and it was standing-room only. Also every Tuesday he offers two pizzas with two toppings for $20. Tax already included. You can’t beat these prices.

Peplowski has been very active in the community from day one. For years, when I was involved with Villa Park Youth Baseball, Billy’s was often the first sponsor we signed each year, and many years he sponsored two teams. He’s also helped out the Mariners Swim Team, the Villa Park Library, softball teams and he’s been very active with St. Alexander’s functions. For many years, Billy’s has been a vendor at the Parks and Recreation’s Oktoberfest and he’ll be back selling slices this year.

Stop in and say “Hi” and support this great local favorite.

From pizzas to pools

Villa Park Recreation will hold its annual Dancin IN the Pool from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at Jefferson Pool.

This is a really fun event that’s been held the past several years after the pool is drained for the season. A disc jockey is on hand to play music and organize fun games while the kids have a great time dancing and running around the bottom of the pool they swam in all summer long.

This is a free event, so be sure to put it on your calendars.