Holiday Reopening

Wildwood landmark may reopen by holiday
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Updated: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

WILDWOOD — The Boardwalk was busy Tuesday as merchants stacked shelves, cleaned counters and prepared for the Memorial Day crowds.

But the pace at the new Sam's Pizza Palace seemed to be moving twice as fast.

Inside and out workmen hurried to hammer the last nails, install the last fixtures and put everything in its place.

“We're trying for Memorial Day. It's our goal,” said Anthony Zuccarello, one of many family members eager to see the pizza shop open its doors.

Rows of blue chairs and tables are in place in the shop at 26th and the Boardwalk, but much is left to be done by the start of the holiday weekend.

“We're getting there. This is just icing now. We went through all the bad things already,” said Rosemary Zuccarello.

Her family, including her father, Salvatore Spera, could only stand and watch as the old Sam's was destroyed by a fire that started in the adjacent Shore Plaza Motel on Dec. 9, 2005.

The motel had been in the Spera family since 1977, and Sam's traces its roots to 1957.

While the family is still considering the future of the motel, rebuilding Sam's, a Wildwood institution, was never in doubt.

“That was very important. This is our heart and soul. It's what we know best,” said Tony Spera as construction activity went on around him.

The new restaurant is bigger than the old with 40 additional seats for a total of 195, and everything will be brand new, but the family members said they know Sam's is much more than a building.

“It's the service. The loyal employees. The customers know the people here,” said Anthony Zuccarello.

Fans of Sam's are so enthusiastic many have called the family at home asking when the pizza place will re-open.

“And we call them back,” Rosemary Zuccarello said.

Words of encouragement have come in many forms since the fire. Rosemary Zuccarello pointed out that a local Green's Liquor store offered support on its bulletin board with the words “You build it. They will come.”

“I teared up at that,” Rosemary Zuccarello said.

She said the whole experience has also brought the family closer, and Tony Spera said it has given him a new perspective on the damage fire can do.

“You understand what they have lost because we know what we have lost. We could have closed shop and sold, but this is what we do,” Tony Spera said.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com