By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer
The local Pizza Depot in Becker has had a major makeover to their restaurant storefront — presenting a new spacious dining area giving customers more room while creating a fresh, new look.
Pizza Depot has been serving Italian pies and goodies at its current location since 2012. Prior to that, owner Jane du’Monceaux owned and operated the old Salida Depot from 2000 to 2011. When Keeler Gunsmithing, Pizza Depot’s next door neighbor, closed their doors for business recently, du’Monceaux decided to give her business a facelift.
“The expansion started out being all about needing more kitchen space,” she said. “We were so crowded and had way too little space for storage. By taking over the Keeler GunShop, we were also able to expand our dining room, which now allows us to serve large groups, to have birthday parties, and team parties.”
She says she pretty much doubled the size of their former site. They also included a “kids corner” of the restaurant for young children to play and learn at.
Pizza Depot employs 13 workers — most being part-time employees including cashiers, cooks and delivery drivers. Business has been good for the du”Monceaux family and they have nothing but good things to say about the local patrons.
“We have a very caring and friendly community in Becker which makes doing business here fun,” said Jane. “What we strive for is taking care of our customers, and giving back to this community that supports us. We'd be nothing without them.”
Pizza Depot’s busiest times for business revolve around regular daytime meal times, not necessarily the late evenings or midnight runs. Jane’s daughter, Morgan, 32, manages the Becker location while son Brady, 25, manages the St. Cloud location, which they opened in 2015.
“We do have plans in the near future for another location,” she said. “Then continue expanding until we have seven stores or so. Our main thing slowing us down right now is the lack of labor.”
Pizza Depot is a member of the Becker Chamber of Commerce and they continually help local churches, sports and organizations through their fundraiser cards.
“We try to give $15,000-$20,000 a year in that way,” said Jane.
Pizza Depot does more than just sell pizzas. They also have specialty breads, appetizers, calzones, wraps, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wings and dessert. Pepsi beverages are the tasty choices for parched guests and their website promotes ordering online for fast service.
For pizzas, they offer “build your own pizza” in prices ranging from $10.99 to $16.99. For their signature pizzas, like the Salida Superb, Taco Extravaganza and Bacon Cheeseburger pizzas, the prices range from $13.99 to $22.99. Personal pan pizzas start at $4.99. They also have chicken signature pizzas ($13.99 to $21.99) and pizza of the month.
Check out their menu and prices as well as coupons on their website at www.pizzadepotmn.com. Pizza Depot Becker is located at 14281 Bank St. and the St. Cloud location is at 2848 2nd Street.
Jane, 56, has been married to Ralph of Ralph’s Auto Body for 36 years, She was born in Santiago and her family has lived in Becker for almost 30 years.
