Local pizzeria hangs on in recession

HAMPTON, Va. - It's a sign of the times, pieces of two popular Hampton eateries now going to the highest bidder.

Tuesday, everything from salt shakers to plates are up for grabs at two Bennigan's restaurants and one Steak and Ale.

Monday, an economic government group said the country's officially in a recession and has been since December 2007. It's not new news to local business owner Jim Thacker.

"We're probably about 10 to 15 percent down," says Thacker.

The owner of Andrea's Pizza in the Riverdale Shopping Center has watched the landscape change around him for months. At least a half dozen businesses in the Coliseum area have closed.

"There's a Pho 79 right here in a little strip area, then you got Captain George's down here on Mercury about midway before you get to the James River bridge."

Andrea's has held its own for 35 years. The right recipe for Thacker, reasonable prices and good quality.

"I buy the best turkey. I buy the best philly steaks, sliced ribeye. We keep consistent."

The dough may not roll in as much as he'd like, but Thacker says in these turbulent times, his customers need a place they can count on.

"If they know they're going to get the quality and they know they're going to get a fair price people aren't going to take that leap and say lets go try something different."