A new family-inspired pizzeria is set to open in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, spearheaded by 24-year-old Mason Lesser. Named **Marinas Pizza**, after his grandmother and mother, the establishment will reside at **1425 Frankfurt Ave.** Lesser aims to honor his grandfather’s legacy, who immigrated from Italy and opened over **50 pizza shops** across the United States.
Lesser shared his thoughts on embarking on this entrepreneurial journey, stating, “There’s a lot of emotions. It’s stressful, it’s scary but you have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations.” He plans to use a **60-year starter** inherited from his grandfather, ensuring that traditional methods are central to the pizzeria’s offerings. “I’ll be using his recipe,” Lesser explained, emphasizing the authenticity of his approach.
The pizzeria will serve **traditional New York-style pizza**, complemented by local favorites such as cheesesteaks and salads. Lesser is committed to using fresh, organic ingredients, with a strict policy against frozen products. The pizza dough will undergo a **48-hour fermentation process**, which Lesser highlighted as essential for both flavor and digestibility.
“To make dough, it’s a mixture of flour—we have a blend of flour we’re using—yeast, water, salt, and sugar. We put a little bit of the starter in, and we mix it up,” he elaborated. After allowing the dough to rise for **30 minutes**, it will be refrigerated for further development. Lesser noted this meticulous process results in a product that allows customers to enjoy multiple slices without feeling overly full.
Design and Community Impact
Marinas Pizza will occupy approximately **1,000 square feet**, featuring a distinctive green-and-white color scheme. Lesser aims to create an elevated atmosphere with hardwood floors and sconce lighting. He expressed enthusiasm about bringing his vision to fruition, saying, “I’m excited to bring my own vision to life.”
The choice of Fishtown as the location was deliberate. Lesser appreciates the blend of national brands and local businesses in the area, believing his concept will resonate well with the community. “I thought it was a cool mixture and thought my concept would fit right there on that street,” he remarked.
Though an official opening date has yet to be announced, Lesser looks forward to the opportunity to introduce a taste of Italy to local residents. His venture not only aims to provide quality food but also to foster a sense of connection and family heritage within the community.
