How many pizza shops in the Upper Ohio Valley can attest they’ve taken an order from someone 15,000 feet in the air?
Well, at least one.
Pam Campbell is the owner of Home Pizza in Barnesville and has been since she purchased the shop 23 years ago.
Twenty-plus years is quite a bit of longevity. Obviously, Campbell is doing something right to receive the support of the community throughout the duration.
But sometimes, it’s the loyalty of the customers who no longer live in town or ones from out of the 43713 zip code that make it a point to head to western Belmont County for those square slices of deliciousness.
Campbell recalled one such unique request that, she admits at first, appeared like a prank.
“It was just before Christmas. A guy called and wanted to order a tray, but he said he wanted it for 1:15 out at the airport because, currently, he was in the air flying,” Campbell recalled.
Apparently, the former Barnesville resident was taking a flying lesson out of Columbus and asked his instructor to land at nearby Barnesville-Bradfield Airport, just for some of that taste of Home he’d been missing.
At first, she asked her employee who took the order if she thought someone was pranking them. After all, not just anyone can get into the airport that isn’t an employee or ticketed passenger.
But Campbell drove out, not sure what to expect. The gentleman landed right as she was trying to explain the situation to the airport staff.
“The guy who runs the airport was really nice and let me in,” Campbell said. “The pizza was delivered, and another happy customer served, albeit via unconventional methods.”
She also loves the holidays when former residents return to town and swing through to pick up that memorable favorite of their past. Campbell recalled a couple that now live in Texas that purchase three trays to take back every time they came to town.
There’s another woman who visits her brother in Florida twice a year and takes a tray down to satisfy his craving for Home Pizza, that and a few bags of Conn’s potato chips, Campbell noted.
Even before owning Home Pizza, it felt like home to Campbell. Back when both Junior Turner and then Jewett Stephen owned the shop, Campbell worked there periodically.
But when Jewett decided to sell, Campbell and her husband, Joel, decided to buy it. That brought an end to Campbell’s career working with the clients of Belco Works, not just at the facility but also in their homes.
“I had always worked here in high school and then on and off so when Jewett decided to sell, my husband and I bought it.”
Home Pizza, But Not That Home Pizza
Yes, there’s been much confusion through the years about whether or not the Home Pizza in Barnesville or the former Halloran’s Home Pizza in St. Clairsville were the same shop just with different locations.
The short answer is no, it’s not. The longer explanation is yes, at one point originally it was. But that was a long time ago.
“Way back when it first opened, St. C. owned it,” Campbell said. “But I guess they couldn’t make a go of it. Junior bought it and made a go of it for 22 years, maybe more. He kept the name and never changed anything. People would call here and think we were St. Clairsville.
“A lot of people always tell us ours was better. I had St. Clairsville. There were a few differences.”
Campbell admits it looked the same, but the St. C. Home Pizza’s crust was a little thinner, and the slices generally had one slice of pepperoni per square piece. Barnesville’s crust is thicker, and two slices of pepperoni per piece.
The only thing that’s changed during Campbell’s two-plus decades of ownership is there are a few more additions to the menu, and all the ingredients used are fresh. Contrary to the occasional customer’s opinion, no, the sauce hasn’t changed.
“Honestly, I haven’t changed a thing in 23 years with the sauce,” Campbell said. “We used to have dehydrated onions and peppers, but then we started with everything being fresh.
“We started selling wings and pepperoni rolls, poppers, cheese sticks and bread sticks, but when people think I’ve changed the sauce, I haven’t.”
There are additional offerings, but it’s the by-the-slice and 28-piece tray square-pizza goodness that have customers returning again and again.
Another difference is Barnesville offers the take-and-bake pizzas that are half-baked and can be taken home and finished. That’s different from the occasional frozen pizza sales St. Clairsville offered.
A Family Affair
There’s another reason it feels like home for Pam—all the Campbells that can be found working in the store.
Her husband will help out, but he has his day job. Her eldest daughter used to work at Home Pizza. Two of her daughters currently work at the shop with her. Her brother’s kids had their own tour of duty at Home.
She loves having them there, though Pam admits when making out the schedule, she tries to keep the three of them separate when possible.
“The oldest did a good job when she was here, and the younger two do as well,” Campbell said. “They always say they hate working with me because I’m nit-picky.
“So, I try not to schedule us together if I can help it.”
It’s all in good fun, but in fairness, Campbell is particular about the crew working for her, just as she is about the product she puts out.
That’s part of the reason this Home Pizza hasn’t expanded yet, though she’s not ruling it out.
“I would like to, but I’ve never really looked into it,” Campbell said. “It’s one of those things where it’s hard for me to trust people. Who would run it? That’s why I’ve stayed in one place. But it’s something to think about.
“I’m not saying I wouldn’t.”
If Campbell ever does expand, Sarahsville in Noble County, or somewhere in the surrounding area might just be the best place to do so.
That’s because whenever the Shenandoah Zeps are in town taking on the hometown Shamrocks in any sporting event, a number of Zeps fans make their way into Home Pizza. It’s become almost a tradition.
“Every time we play them in any sport, we get slammed,” Campbell said. “Then one time, a lady that came to watch a track meet (from Shenandoah) came in and said she’d never tried us before, but that she’d heard good things.”
The Zeps faithful aren’t alone. Campbell noted a similar phenomenon happens when Buckeye Trail teams come to town.
“I always thought maybe Sarahsville, or Quaker City, maybe Freeport would be a nice spot,” Campbell said. “Gut a house, turn it into a shop.”
Maybe one day. But for now, there’s Home Pizza to be found in downtown Barnesville. That’s good enough for Campbell. Considering the shop has been open for decades, a lot of others share that opinion.
Home Pizza is located at 115 W. Main Street in downtown Barnesville.
