Wooster students know and love Mr. Newbury through his involvement in the music department, but fewer know that on the weekends, he works behind the counter at Ozzy’s Apizza. Ozzy’s is a New Haven pizza shop where Mr. Newbury is a part-owner.
The charming pizza shop opened in New Haven two summers ago, but its origin dates back even further. The restaurant is named after a dog adopted by Mr. Newbury’s best friend, Chris, who started making pizzas in his California apartment during COVID-19.
What started as a hobby turned into pop-ups, then a restaurant in LA, and now a second location in the “pizza capital of the United States.”
When the opportunity arose to open a shop in New Haven, the founder of Connecticut Pizza Tours, Colin Caplan, offered Ozzy’s the space. Once this opportunity became formidable, Chris asked Mr. Newbury to get involved.
“It was the summer, I had free time, and I said I’d learn how to make pizza,” Mr. Newbury said.
Despite having no professional experience in the restaurant industry, Mr. Newbury said his background as a food enthusiast made the transition easy. He describes food as his favorite thing in the world, along with music.
Balancing business management with a full-time job may seem demanding; however, Mr. Newbury believes that the balance has been beneficial. For years, he taught 6 days a week and often found himself overwhelmed. However, he has found that working in a kitchen requires a different kind of focus.
“It’s physical, fast-paced, and when I leave, I don’t have to think about it,” he said. “I come back to school more refreshed.”
Although Ozzy’s is new to New Haven compared to other pizza establishments, the kitchen staff is filled with experience. Their head chef previously worked at Frank Pepe’s and Da Legna, and another chef was the longest-running pizza chef at Sally’s for 30 years.
Beyond just food, Ozzy’s emphasizes community involvement and making efforts to give back. Customers are encouraged to round up their totals to support animal shelters, and Ozzy’s has relationships with local shelters at both their East and West locations.
Inside the restaurant, you immediately see children’s drawings featured prominently on the walls. Mr. Newbury said interactions with customers are one of the most rewarding aspects of his job, whether it’s with regulars or tourists.
“You can have a difficult customer, and then the next person completely changes your day," Mr. Newbury said.
Chef Rick at Ozzy's with his family.
Other components of his involvement involve organization and flexibility. Small business owners have important responsibilities and must handle everything from financial logistics to customer service.
The experience he’s had has also helped shape his view on leadership. For the first time, Mr. Newbury has had to manage employees and navigate difficult conversations, skills that he says have translated to his role at Wooster as he’s grown to be more patient and empathetic.
When asked about his favorite pizza, Mr. Newbury said it often depends on what the chefs are experimenting with in the kitchen, though he also loves the “Mikey Rabbit,” a white pizza with cream sauce, spinach, Italian sausage, and garlic.
Wooster’s own Chef Rick has taken notice of Ozzy’s Apizza, and after visiting with his family, he described it as, “the best pizza I ever had.”
Mr. Newbury’s role at Ozzy’s offers Wooster students and faculty a glimpse into a lesser-known part of his life. One not rooted in music or the classroom environment, but in New Haven’s long-standing pizza tradition.
Lucy '27
