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Mitch Kolln says dust and smells from a tire retreading shop across the street threatens his plans to reopen Pietro's pizza in Longview. Bill Wagner / The Daily News

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Man's dream of reopening Pietro's pizza parlor is clouded by tire dust

Monday, September 8, 2008 8:41 AM PDT

By Erik Olson

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At age 8, Mitch Kolln was serving pizzas at the Pietro's parlor his father founded in Longview nearly five decades ago.

Norm Kolln grew the restaurant into a chain and then sold in 1973. He watched as Pietro's expanded to more than 40 locations throughout Oregon and Washington and then went bankrupt.

Now Mitch Kolln, 63, wants to re-establish his father's dream. For the last year, he and stepson Sam Miller have been renovating the original Pietro's on Commerce Avenue near California Way.

The site was vacated by Mario's Pizza two years ago. Kolln wants to add a waterfall, a patio or even a miniature golf course outside to attract more people.

"This is my last shot," said Kolln, who has run a pizza parlor in Salem and a nursery in Longview.

But a cloud is hanging over Kolln's rebuilding efforts. A black film of dust covered window sills and part of the roof on the western face of the building. The material kept coming back after Kolln cleaned it, so he spent $300 to have a lab test it.

The result: The substance was tire dust, likely blowing from the Superior Tire Service retreading facility across the street. If it's collecting on the outside of the building now, Kolln said, he doubts he can serve food outside - and the smell of rubber some days would be a turnoff for anyone wanting to play outside.

Kolln is worried that his dream to expand his father's work is drifting away.

"I can't open up for lunch," Kolln said. "People are exposed to it whether you want it or not."

Across Commerce Avenue at Superior Tire Service, retreaded tires are viewed as green technology, not pollutants.

Retreading extends the lives of thousands of tires that otherwise might find an early grave in a landfill and decompose over decades, said Doug Ray, the Longview store manager. Every retreaded tire saves 15 gallons of oil that would have been used to manufacture a new tire, and the used tires are one-third to one-half the cost of a new tire, according to the company.

"Retreading and recapping are a type of recycling," Ray said.

Inside Superior Tire's bustling garage, known as a cap shop, workers will take in around 1,000 worn industrial tires per month and make them nearly brand new. The remnants of the worn treads are shorn off, then workers heat-seal a new tread to prepare the tires to hit the road.

It's the first step - the removal of the tread - that's the possible cause for the dust settling at Pietro's. Once the tread is shaved off, it's sucked through a vacuum tube into an outside bin, where the material is filtered through a machine called a cyclone and collected in a bin to be recycled.

Ray is uncertain how the tire dust is getting past the cyclone. If Superior Tire needs to build a taller

wall to prevent the dust from getting into the air, Ray said he'll do it.

"We don't want to be a bad neighbor," he said.

Superior Tire, headquartered in Salem, Ore., has been operating the cap shop in Longview since 2000. Despite a few initial complaints about tire dust when the cap shop started, Ray said he hadn't heard a complaint from neighboring businesses until Kolln spoke up last year. The company's cap shop in Salem, operating for about 20 years, also has received no complaints of tire dust, he said.

Workers at Pietro's first noticed the dust last fall, and some even complained of headaches and slight nausea. Kolln didn't - and still doesn't - know the cause, but he contacted the Southwest Clean Air Agency to find out what he could.

He was shocked to learn that Superior Tire had no permit for the emission of tire dust,especially because his lab test had come back with small, trace amounts of arsenic, lead and mercury. The source of those toxins can't necessarily be traced back to Superior Tire, but they are still a concern, Kolln said.

"It's bad for you," Kolln said.

It's not uncommon for a business to fall under the radar of the agency's enforcement arm, then obtain a permit following a complaint or a report from a compliance officer, said Randy Peltier, operations manager for the Vancouver-based Southwest Clean Air Agency.

The agency requires a cap shop to have the cyclone machine, which sucks up the tire dust and limits the amount of dust expelled into the air, Peltier said. Superior Tire had been using a cyclone since it opened its cap shop in 2000, and the company didn't have to make any changes in its filter system before receiving its permit in December, Peltier said.

Superior Tire had been unaware it needed a permit for the retreading and applied for one from the clean air agency after the complaint in the fall of 2007, Ray said.

The permit limits the emission of tire dust to less than 1,151 pounds per year, but Superior Tire has other limits on its output of tire dust, Peltier said. The agency has the authority to curtail air pollution that prevents the "full enjoyment" of a neighbor's property, though it's subjective, he said.

"If this is indeed fallout from Superior Tire that is preventing full enjoyment of the neighbor's property, then we intend to work with Superior Tire" to stop the pollution, Peltier said.

Superior Tire is willing to do the same thing, Ray said.

He had no specific plans, but he said Superior Tire would be willing to accommodate requests from the clean air agency to further reduce the emissions.

The company's 36 employees live in the community and breathe the same air, and Superior Tire wants to be a good neighbor, he said.

"We don't want to pollute the air. We don't want to pollute the ground," Ray said.

Kolln said he isn't aiming to put Superior Tire out of business, but he won't back down either. His father's pizzeria was there first, and even though the land is zoned for light industrial use, Kolln said he's worried that the tire dust could be harmful to people outside in the neighborhood.

"This is the wrong place for that operation," Kolln said.

Mr. Chinook wrote on Sep 8, 2008 3:03 AM:

" Your number may not be called in turn. Some pizzas just take longer to burn. This fact you should bear in mind - if number 2 is called, number 1 isn't far behind. "

Blogger Jogger wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:36 AM:

" I could be wrong (I have been before), but it seems that if these two business partners can sit down and talk about the situation they should be able to come up with a solution. After all, if the tire company is truly driven by the desire to BE green (as in less polutants), instead of driven for THE green (the good ol' dollar) they should be unhappy that they are poluting the air around their shop. Not to mention the fact that I should not be breathing their dust if I happen to be in the area. I believe it is the State Department of Labor & Industries that has laws about particulants in the air. "

1980mustang wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:55 AM:

" You go for it Mitch, Bring back the great pizza we all grew up on... "

citizen_jane wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:58 AM:

" Sounds like two parties willing to work with each other. There's got to be a way to make this a win-win.

I remember eating at Pietro's when I was little. Loved those balloons on a stick! Can't remember if the pizza was great, but I liked going there. Not sure if mini golf is a great way to get people in - excellent pizza, good selection of microbrews and great customer service ought to be adequate. "

WWJD wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:12 AM:

" Longview doesn't need another pizza parlar, but a miniture golf cource might be nice. "

lucky1 wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:55 AM:

" I agree that the dust should stop. The only part of the article I didnt like was the quote that his fathers shop was there first. How many years ago did that go out of business in Cowlitz County. All the business down where he is are a more industrial sort of business. "

Mrs. Pellwerds wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:00 AM:

" I think moving in and telling your new neighbors to stop doing what they have been doing for years is being a bad neighbor. Every other property in that area is a manufacturing business, and zoned for just that. Just because several restaurants have failed there in the past (CLUE) doesn't mean you have some sort of squatters rights to have what you want. "

kelsograd wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:10 AM:

" I remember Pietro's from many years ago. Great pizza. Now however, things have changed. Zoned light industrial use! Why would the city grant a permit for a resturant? What does pizza have to do with industrial use. Find another spot that your CUSTOMERS will enjoy. "

Rural Citizen wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:20 AM:

" It is painfully obvious to me that the pollution caused by the retreding operation is zoned incorrectly. How on earth are the businesses on Commerce supposed to thrive with that kind of pollution? I always wondered what it was I smelled down there. Truthfully I have avoided Commerce for a long time. My health is important to me.

Another angle on this: How is it that folks seem to think idling car exhaust is appropriate to be coming inside the windows of drive thru restaurants, straight into the kitchens? I don't eat there either for this reason. "

cherokee wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:26 AM:

" As a former employee of Pietro's, I remember working with Norm Kolln. I highly support Mitch's attempt to reopen Pietro's. We need another family restaurant in this area. I hope everything works out. Also I appreciate Superior tires attitude towards cleaning up their business. I wish the best to you Mitch, and look forward to seeing Pietro's back in business. "

Beer&Skittles wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:43 AM:

" You know, people who work in "light industrial areas" need to eat too! It would be great to have Pietros back! Pietros never went out of business because of their location, it came down to bad business decisions at the time. You were probably never in there when it was stacked to the rafters with soccer teams and the likes if you think it failed for location. For all the negative comments that will be generated here, it sounds like both parties are pretty dedicated to making something work for everyone, and I APPLAUD that attitude. Thanks for setting an example. Many of the posters here would never be the ones to set a good example. "

lord gregor wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:55 AM:

" Very, very cool! Glad to hear Pietros may be coming back! I occassionally visit the one in Milwaukie and its just as good as it was when I was a kid. As for the tire dust, if the land is not zoned for it then that business should move to a location that is zoned for it. Those pollutants are unacceptable, regardless of who are the neighbors. To image that a restaurant may be affected...that's scary. I'd like a large taco, hold the tire dust please! And I am Lord Gregor. "

longview citizen wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:58 AM:

" I for one can understand he want's to put the "ORIGINAL" Pietros back where it "ALL STARTED". This is something Longview should be proud of. If Campbells had not tried to over run the market they would still be in business, they also should not have changed the recipe. I for one hope it all works out and I know Doug and he is a great up standing guy and will do what is right. It concerns me that there is that much dust escaping from the system. I am sure it will all work out. "

anotion wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:07 AM:

" It'd be nice to have a good affordable pizza. Is there such thing? I'm not going to mention which pizza parlor, but I paid 19.50 for a medium vegitarian the other day! Goodness gracious!! Can that seriously be justified with rising food costs? I know.....I'm a little off track there.. "

leahdanielle wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Doug Ray is my father in-law and my husband works at superior tire as well. This man has picked a highly industrial area to open up this pizza shop. you don't see any fine dinning restaurants on industrial way do you? and I don't think tire dust is going to put him out of business. Mario's pizza was there for a number of years and that was never a complaint that I'm aware of. I'm surprised he hasn't gone after the dog kennels they have across the street. wouldn't dogs barking turn off customers from eating? I'm sure that the smell of pizza will be in the air so you wont be smelling any tire dust. Doug Ray is a very fair man and will do whatever it takes to please someone. "

just a thought wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:14 AM:

" I am so happy to hear that there will be a Pietros opening again. When I was pregnant with my first child I had to drive 125 miles down here to get the pizza I was craving. Now I am pregnant again would LOVE to have Pietros. My dad worked there for his first job also, would be fun to take him back. Very happy to hear Superior is working toward making things better with no complaints, I think that is great! Will do business with them next time I need tires. "

J. A. Long wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:16 AM:

" I think we are all tired of these dust in the wind rants. The past is past. Today we have nothing but second-rate psudo-pizza in this county. Now here's a guy spending more time talking about miniture golf, waterfalls and the good ol'past while saying nothing about why his experience as a Chef or even a cook, aside from working as a kid in his pop's place many years ago. If this is all about nostalga he would be better off making a pizza parlour out of his basement or garage for his buddies to hang out with him once in a while. If it's about buisness: everyone knows if you have a poor location you had better have a stellar product and a solid buisness plan. Good luck to him in any case but sounds like another ill-fated, albeit, good intentioned, small buisness. "

kelsogal wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:21 AM:

" Superior Tire should comply with permits and emissions. But they should also fight any attempts to force them to curtail their operations. That dust is likely coming from car exhaust, big rig truck exhaust, the mills and a half dozen other businesses down there. It's zoned Industrial. "I was here first" doesn't cut much weight when the business has been closed for years. Sorry, but you didn't have outdoor dining before and folks can only eat outside about three months of the year anyway. Still, it was once a good place for a pie. But there are a lot more shops doing them now. Best of luck. "

dingbat wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:30 AM:

" I too grew up with the original Pietro's and have missed it everytime I eat pizza because NOBODY makes pizza as good as Pietro's used to. "

Angel wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Yes, having pietro's back would be nice. But there are a million other pizza joints in town, so competition will be tough. I think initially people with come in out of curiosity and history, but the pizza better be great and reasonable. Next, alot of things have changed in the area. More traffic, different businesses have moved in. It is true that there is going to be new smells and sounds. Embrace it. Don't alinate the families that work and support your business. They most likely will be the biggest customers because they are close to your business. Truthfully I am in that area several times a week. I have never noticed the smell. Mostly I hear dogs barking, but I take my dog there daily. This is all something that should have been looked into before begining renovations. Good luck with it. I will definately try it. "

CONCERENED wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:36 AM:

" WHO CARES? NOT ME, IM GLAD IN FACT I MOVED OUT OF LONGVIEW! THERE ISNT A THING CALLED "GOOD PIZZA" IN THAT TOWN.THE BEST PIZZA? COMES RIGHT OUT OF MY KITCHEN AT HOME, YUP " HOME MADE" AND AS FOR GOLF? THATS NOT GONNA BRING PEOPLE TO TOWN TO EAT PIZZA! SO EITHER GO WITH IT AND OPEN A PIZZA JOINT? OR CLOSE THE IDEA DOWN!! ITS 2008 ,NOT THE 60'S OR 70'S!!!! "

greenbean wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:37 AM:

" I'm excited to have Pietro's here again...and I disagree with the negative posts. It sounds like Mr. Kolln knows how to run a pizza place, and his father was very successful. I think miniature golf would be a great addition too -- any place that would be good and affordable for kids birthday parties will be a success. With skateworld gone, there are less choices. Glow in the dark mini golf would be great too! Good luck Mr. Kolln. It sounds like everyone will work together to figure out a solution. I for one am concerned about toxic dust in the air -- that problem needs to be resolved regardless of whether the restaurant is there or not. "

Viewpoint wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:44 AM:

" I can't believe so many are commenting about pizza when the big concern should be MERCURY, ARSENIC, and LEAD, all highly toxic, especially to the growing brains of children and young people. And this after the recent story about the three children with cancer. If you think visible tire dust on the windowsill and blown around the neighborhood, aren't bad enough, what about the worker at the machine wearing hearing protection but no breathing protection? Where's L & I on this case? "

columbian wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:52 AM:

" How to fix the problem -HIRE MR.CLEAN.Then let us know of a dust free area around here and then move there with all the rest of us.Wonder how the INDY DINER TRUCK STOP ON IN-DUST-RIAL WAY makes it with all the trucks running in and out.MITCH WORK IT OUT.OR FORGET IT.YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME. "

wife&mommy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:52 AM:

" I think that Mr Kolln is being a bully thinking that his business is more important to this community then STS. Saying that he "doesn't want to put them out of business but isn't going to back down" is a aggressive statement that implies otherwise! STS is a great business that has wonderful employees and works hard to be an assest to our community. What we don't need is another pizza place, especially one that the owner thinks he is above all his neighboring businesses! Saying that his father's pizzeria was "there first" is a childish statement that implies STS has recently brought the cap shop into this area. If Mr Kolln is set on opening a pietros in this area then he needs to find a location that suits his "needs". Don't go causing problems for established, functioning businesses! "

columbian wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:58 AM:

" MITCH THIS IS NOT GOING TO BRING YOU CUSTOMERS ITS ONLY GOING TO HURT IN THE LONG RUN, GO WORK IT OUT.LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE AT SUPERIOR "

Kem Cho wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:59 AM:

" I am worried about employees at Superior Tire - if they are breathing the same air. Let these two neighbors work out the details. Were govt. agencies sleeping on the job. "

louie wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:15 AM:

" A couple of things...that was the original site of the Pietro's which had really great pizza. All the pizza has gotten way too expensive for what it consists of.
Superior tire is a fine company and I am sure they think they are in compliance with all environmental issues. However, I don't think that this 'tire dust' should be floating around in the air. We are breathing this and that cannot be a good thing. Maybe they need to have the cyclone checked for some kind of leak as I feel it is unacceptable for this dust to be showing up on window sills not to mention the lungs of the people who work in that area.
Lastly, a restaurant in an industrial area is nothing new and can be quite fashionable in cities with more vision than Longview. I can't believe you dissenters are complaining about where the pizza parlor is...it was always there. "

louie wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:19 AM:

" ...by the way, I think Mitch Kolln is making an eyesore look much better. Thanks for not going with the original red with the vertical boards being white, it may have worked in the 60's and 70's but not today. Your choice of colors looks very nice to me. "

obit woman wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:01 PM:

" The first pizza I ever ate was a Pietro's Kissin' Cousin. It will always be my favorite, though the last couple years the restaurant was open the pizza had gone down hill. I hope it's brought back to its original glory with Kissin' Cousin on the menu. I work nearby and would like to go there for lunch and to-go pizzas on the way home. I'd love to play miniature golf with my kids. As for the environmental issue. Superior Tire is a good company. I know they'll do what's right, not only for surrounding businesses, but for the health of their employees. "

skibum wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Why not burn the tar out of a pizza, cover it with tire dust, and call it "The Firestone". It would sell well, and everybody could laugh about this silly mess! "

Atrucker wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:35 PM:

" Pietro's pizza parlor , was an icon of the pizza places in the 60's and 70's.
The expansion killed the company , simple as that , and it has happened to others as well. The castle rock pizza joint claims to have Pietro's dough recipe . I think not . Lets see you have the pancake house, Burger king ,
Indy Diner, starbucks, smokehouse, oregon way tavern , just to name a few that are in the industrail area .
Superior tire does not put near as junk in the air as those mills do , no doubt about it .
Pietro's was almost standing room only at times , yes they made good food and drew in the crowds. HECK YES BRING PIETRO'S BACK . "

CRFisherman wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:17 PM:

" He needs an extra shot of cheese on that Wine pizza he's cooking. Give me a break, "I was here first." This guy is a joke. "

smf wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:18 PM:

" If the DOE will fine a rock pit for making dust of plain old dirt, then why would they allow a tire recapping facility to create dust with poisons in it. Pollution is pollution and we don't need it. I'm not in that area often, so it wouldn't effect me much, but what about those that work, live and do business in the area? Get the Department of Ecology involved and get things cleaned up. By the way, I loved Pietro's and would definitely be a customer, with or without the outdoor dining or mini golf. "

Diesel wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:37 PM:

" re: wife&mommy I guess that you have no concern about possible DANGEROUS pollution. Perhaps you should take the kiddies and spend several hours each day just walking around that area. No one wants to close down the tire shop but perhaps they CAN do a better job of keeping pollutants in check for the good of the WHOLE community. Perhaps before you make another comment about somethiing you should re-read the article so that you fully understand everything about it. "

PeaOwed wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:28 PM:

" We have known Mitch professionally for many years and respect him as a man of character and integrity. So what if he wants to put back the nostalgic pizza place...this town definately needs the "good 'ol" pizza back and something on this end of town. I also frequented Pietro's here in Longview and in Eugene when my husband and myself were dating. We also deal with Superior Tire and I commend Mr. Ray for his effort in making corrections if need be. Hooray for Mitch wanting to put in miniature golf and giving the youth of Longview another option for enjoyment. Keep up the good work, Mitch! We're behind you all the way!!! "

wife&mommy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:30 PM:

" Re: Diesel. Possible dangerous pollution? So what else is new in this area?! The whole town needs a check on that! Superior Tire is willing to cooperate, just need to know what needs to be fixed! I was not addressing the pollution aspect of this situation just the handling of the whole thing by the owner of pietros! The ability to leave comments on this page is to express our opinion, not try and push our opinion on someone else. I am entitled to my opinion and you to yours. "

Kristanna wrote on Sep 8, 2008 3:45 PM:

" I think that after the evaluations the branding committee did of Longview, stories like this one are a really great find. This is what Longview needs- turning would-be eyesores into family-friendly places. I'm proud of Mr. Kolln and his stepson for being some of the first community members to really step up to the plate in that capacity. As far as STS is concerned, the article mentions that something as simple as building a taller stack can prevent the tire-dust problem. The article goes on to say that the management at STS is more than happy to oblige. Really, this is a win/win situation. Our community is getting a great landmark back, and this article really shows the willingness of different members of our community (industrial and restaurateur) to work together work together in order to make Longview a better place.
As an aside; there are some comments here that are somewhat inappropriate. As a reader, I would greatly appreciate it if others would keep their unrelated posts to the community forums found elsewhere in this website. And I think we're all adult enough to keep the personal attacks to a minimum. Let's show a little class, as Mr. Kolln and teh good folks at STS have shown us such a great example. = ) "

Local Yokel wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:15 PM:

" Maybe the emissions can be curtailed somewhat and Pietro's can add-on an outdoorsy feeling glass enclosed space for the outdoor dining adventure he wants to have. (p.s., if enclosed, it would still provide seating in the winter months or rainy weather.) There is a win-win combination in here somewhere. Good luck all. "

GEAR-UP wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:33 PM:

" Cant wait to have a "Powerhouse" again, Remember the Mannequin that had a speaker to greet you? It seems some college kids tried to steal it once, and when it came back it never talked again, at least to me. "

pizza-tester wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:35 PM:

" Yippee.... can't wait for the g-opening.
I am wondering though, about the workers over at the re-tread shop.......arn't they in mortal danger??
I mean, breathing that dust every day..all day long?? Where's WISHA !!! "

Outside Observer wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:17 PM:

" Dad did some wiring there in the late 50s or early 60s (Renaud Electric) but I recall he called the owner by the name of Anil, Aneil, or something close to it.

I remember dad laying out the building design for his Eugene or Medford store on the kitchen table. The angle of the short walls from the recessed front door to the front was particularly vexing. The buildings blueprints were made off dads original drawings.

We used to laugh at the chain pizza shops opening in Longview and closing 6 months later. Remember the major chain that opened one across from LCC with one side for adults and the other for kids? The college students would drive to Pietros rather than walk across the street to that place. "

Outside Observer wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:42 PM:

" Dear Mitch and Sam,
Sorry fellas, but you are drilling a dry hole here. While Im sure learning the many ways to get bubble gum out of artificial turf would be a great adventure, dont make it what this is all about.

Focus, guys, focus. Neil brought a totally delicious pizza to this area (The herbs and spices in the sauce and the cheeses he used were the secrets) that no chain ever matched. Shakeys spent millions advertising, drawing people from the area to Portland. After eating there, it was a universal UCK! These people have never eaten at Pietros! Shakeys is now a hollow shell of what they once were.

I would bet the original recipe is just a full-flavored, delicious, and market-dominating as it was back then.

Get a hole-in-the-wall space in the Triangle, room enough to sit 25, with the Kitchen in the Window, and focus on delivering the best pizza this side of Long Island, New York. Neils pizza. You would make Neil proud that you two understand and appreciate what he was all about. "

bronco wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:45 PM:

" okay I know that there is some dust but do you intend to put more people out of work? An another pizza parlor, come on!
lets see dominzs, chucky cheese, pizza hut, izzys, figaros, and I know there are others I forgot. Why do we need another pizza place. I think you should move your parlor because thetire place has been operating without fail for a long long time. chevy man in kelso "

tire_guy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:16 PM:

" trace amounts of arsenic, lead and mercury? and what kind of tires are these? tires are not made up of any of the chemicals. he is trying to open a resturant in an industrial area. he is not only neighbored by STS, but he is next to longview tire, wayron, lumbers, and that doggy day care. id be more worried about taking a wiff of dog turds then a lil tire dust. he is trying to open this place in thee worst location, that would be why they have all failed. it is an industrial area, and im positive all the stuff he is complaining about is not coming from STS alone. get a new location. oh, and the line about pietros was there first? well why does it matter who was there first? you lost your rights to that place when it went bankrupt "

tire_guy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:27 PM:

" ALSO, if you really think about it, the cap shop at STS is a small factor in keeping this town running. it aint cheap running a semi truck, between maintance and gas, and semi tires certainly aint cheap. re-capped tires are cheaper, and help out drivers who are in a bind with money. without the cap shop, alot of this town would simply stop moving, which means people would be out of a job, and unemplyoment would be even higher. longview needs this cap shop. longview does not need another pizza place "

CONCERENED wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:29 PM:

" ok tdn 45 comments and everyone has spoke there peace, including myself, WHATS THE NEXT HEARTBREAKING STORY ??? "

mclovin it wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:44 PM:

" Pietro's was a part of my childhood in the late 60's and I have many found memories of going there and as a young child all the way to High School in the 70's after the football game on Friday night. It was the place to be and back then the pizza was great, it's still the benchmark I hold all pizzas to. I wish you the best of luck. "

louie wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:47 PM:

" I thought the original owner sold it to Campbell's Soup people and after that is when it went bankrupt.
They did have the best pizza. Now I think that Papa Pete's comes very close but it is expensive!!! "

angel wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:14 PM:

" This is so stupid. Other joints have made it in industrial areas. It either makes it or it doesnt. Longview was a dusty stinky town from the mills when the original Pietro's was here, so you would think he would embrace the atmosphere! "

cherokee wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:38 PM:

" To Outside Observer. You are talking about Larry Millers place called Chico's Pizza. It was located across from what is now the Shamrock tavern. It is now a sports store. By the way; Diana Ross once stopped and got a pizza to go. No lie. At that time the pizza battle was between Pietro's and Chico's. Also I do not consider Chucky Cheese a family pizza parlor, just a children's hangout. "

LongviewFam wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:59 AM:

" For all those who say we don't need another pizza parlor, I beg to differ. People love pizza, especially decent pizza. The places we have are not restaurants, they are either a trough full of canned salads and cheap pizzas, or ones you cook at home or horribly overpriced pizza parlors (Papa Pete's). I want a sit down place my family can go for a reasonable dinner that isn't full of noisy video games or kids running in and out of tables. A restaurant like Pietro's used to be. As far as STS, tire dust? Gross. I don't want that in the air anywhere (STS, you shouldn't want that either at any profit), especially if he puts in a mini-golf outdoors. STS, put up the dang wall, install an air vacuum system and be a decent neighbor to each other and you'll both enjoy prosperity--DOESN'T MATTER WHO WAS THERE FIRST. "

Outside Observer wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:18 AM:

" Dear Mitch & Sam,
Go ahead and fix up the old Pietro’s building and sell/lease it as a blue-collar 7am-3pm 7-day eatery. Under average or better management it will make a go of it. Get your place in the Triangle, keeping it tiny (seat 25) to keep the rent down and décor it in late 50s Pietros. Look for wide frontage, shallow depth, like the side out of a big-box building looking to cut their rent. People will find you, so don’t pay for visibility. Focus on delivery and customer pickup. You will be up and running and profitable a lot faster….and we’ll get our great pizza back sooner. "

outside wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:26 AM:

" This is "Outside" not to be confused with "Outside Observer". I tend to chime in on issues relating mostly to hunting but this story strikes home. I have been out of the area for over twenty years but still read the LDN daily. Pietro's was the place to go. Every birthday, after little league games, football games, you name it. I always got the free heart shaped pizza with a candle free on my birthday. Remember that?? The beer always came in a heavily frosted mug that would drip all over the table. Man that brings back memories... Didn't the Troup family have something to do with Pietro's? They opened up "The Pizza Place" out on industrial way years and years ago. Pretty close to the Woodshed. Didn't stay open long... I always thought that they had the original Pietro's recipe. Pietro's made the best pizza hands down. The Barmaid and Bartender was the best! "

Outside Observer wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:10 PM:

" Mitch & Sam. I presume you legally own the name Pietros and Pietros Fire House, the original recipes, and the original pizza names, in patent, copyright, trademark, and service marks as applicable. I also presume you would go into the Triangle with an experienced commercial real estate agent who would have THEM punch in the windows and door, build the back wall, and stub in your utilities on their dime to create the rentable space. Of course the remaining build-out is on you. "

dalefanfromwa wrote on Sep 9, 2008 1:31 PM:

" Everyone keeps talking about this being an Industrial area (which it is) but not one mention has been made to the fact that on the other side of STS is the Pancake House & Burger King. Have either of these eatery's complained? I'm all for Pietro's coming back. I too went there as a child & teenager.(Lot's of good memories for me.)As a frequrnt customer of STS I'm confident they will do their best to comply with regulations. There should be room for aeveryone. "

crowsfeet wrote on Sep 9, 2008 3:00 PM:

" They should be able/ or required to install a baghouse on their cyclone that will remove particulate from the exhaust stream. If they have a baghouse already maybe it needs some maintenance. "

reader one wrote on Sep 9, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Superior Tire's recap location in SALEM-OREGON, the site of their 8 million dollar corporate headquarters, has what appears to be a state-of-the-art stack and tire dust recovery system with water scrubbers, no bout...
If Superior Tire here in Longview had the same high-tech stack or recovery system, there probably wouldn't even be an issue in this great town! "

jeffmcguff wrote on Sep 9, 2008 6:45 PM:

" I work in a restaurant near longview, if I go spread salt over some ones property (even though it's harmless) I'll get in trouble. Just imagine, that my salt is toxic... what now?! Good intentions aren't enough. WE must be responsible for what WE emit into the air. If it's harmful WE are responsible!!! STS, please, clean up you emissions! "

jeffmcguff wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:11 PM:

" I read WIFE&MOMMY's comment and it sounds like she totally missed the issue! I'm sure the pizza guys don't have anything against them or what they do... they are worried (rightfully so) about TOXINS in the black dust covering their building. I drove by a week ago and witnessed it first hand, it's gross and more importantly scary. I felt they had nothing against STS, and their workers. They have a right to open without this pollution. And by the way, it's clearly not from car/truck exhaust. "

Daisy wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:31 PM:

" From my view,Mr.Kolln is a BIG man for stepping up and trying to make our community a safer place to live & *breath*.I believe Mr.Kolln is not trying to put anyone out of buisness or out of a job.The Pie@trios article had nothing bad to say about any employee at STS,only that STS needs to do their part in helping keep our air as clean as possiable.Being serious.... "

columbian wrote on Sep 9, 2008 11:05 PM:

" As for dust yesterday as i crossed the RAINIER BRIDGE,up river wind was very strong.the dust blowing off the log operation below Rainier compleatly covered Rainier.WHEN I GOT HOME I WORKED OUT IN THE YARD,DUST FILLED MY EYES. "

bluE wrote on Sep 10, 2008 6:44 AM:

" pizza is GOOOD stuff, pollution sucks. "

bluE wrote on Sep 10, 2008 6:53 AM:

" ohh and if he plans on keeping the same recipe, wow, that was some really good pizza. its nice that he has brought to light an act of pollution that has been going unnoticed, that needs to stop regardless of whether there is really good pizza parlor there or not, and dont give me that about the zoning, just cuz land is zoned industrial doesn't mean folks can dump toxic waste into our air ground and water. GOOD LUCK Mitch. "

lucky1 wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:23 PM:

" I forgot about the balloon on the sticks. Those were great. The building does look better but gor old times sake I would still like to see it red and white. "

Daisy wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:41 PM:

" Seems to me;STS has an 8 million dollar headquarters in Salem,OR for 20 yrs. with no complaints.That would consist of permits and inspections to make sure their equipment**operate properly**to keep the air free of harmful chemicals to keep our familys safe,{makes sense},so when STS put their cap shop in our community in 2000,what would make them unaware of needing the same permits and inspections in Longview,WA....Corporate Amnesia....I guess!!!! "

big wheels wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:21 PM:

" Mr. Troupe was mentioned earlier, and I can say (and the pizza guys would agree) that Jack Troupe is "Da Man". Yes, Norm Kolln founded Pietro's Pizza, but J.T. made it happen. God bless Jack Troop. Let's hope the pizza guys (Mitch & Son) can re-invent what his dad did for the community all those years ago. "

hammer down wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:48 PM:

" LET'S NOT FRET over pizza or retreads, let us, instead, think of our children & their children- hopefully living without caner/leukemia... I'll walk to work and eat burgers IF I HAVE TO!!! "

DestinyN wrote on Sep 13, 2008 3:13 PM:

" Pietro's Pietro's Pietro's. I remember going there for birthday parties when I was a kid. Delicious. I'd love to visit when/if they open again. Good luck figuring out the whole tire dust thing. It's good to hear about two business owners WORKING TOGETHER. Now if only we could get the commenters on this story to learn by example? "

kelsograd wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:54 AM:

" I drove by the old Pietro's building yesterday, why choose the horrible color? Get some input from a decorator if you want to make a good impression. "

farr-out wrote on Sep 21, 2008 6:41 PM:

" First of all, if Superior Tire is releasing large amounts of toxins into the environment it should be a concern for all in the area, not to mention their employees. Second, if the city has granted license to operate a restaurant across the street, they should make sure the site is suitable for such an establishment. The time to claim the site is unsuitable for a restaurant has long passed and the city should be accountable for the considerable investment made by Kolln or helping Superior Tire reduce waste to a level satisfactory for an eatery across the street. Local government leaders, should be helping these two businesses co-exist. Does their job not entail stimulating growth? Both business operators seem willing to work with each other to find a solution. The city needs to put some weight behind finding one. Otherwise, we will end up with a business feud with angry participants but no winners. "

MMGrad66 wrote on Sep 22, 2008 2:14 PM:

" I have not lived in Longview for 40 years but I remember Pietro's Pizza and it too is the benchmark of great pizza in my mind. I live in Pennsylvania where there is a pizza shop on every corner and none compares to Pietro's. Best of luck in this endeavor to bring back good pizza to Longview. "

fencepost wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:08 AM:

" There may be a lot of tire dust in the air there, but is it all coming from STS? After all, there is heavy truck traffic in that area. All along Industrial Way you'll find black, greasy dust over everything -- is that tire dust, too? I always guessed it was diesel soot, but maybe I'm wrong. As tires wear down the stuff has to go somewhere. "

fencepost wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:10 AM:

" As for great pizza, I've always been partial to Fultano's over in Clatskanie. I remember the old Pietro's, too, and that was good pizza. I haven't sampled pizza in Longview for many years, except for Papa Pete's which is too greasy. "

the Grateful Dad wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:11 AM:

" One word: HILANDER "

aelkins02 wrote on Sep 27, 2008 6:42 PM:

" One name: Chuck E. Cheese "

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