Nick Heddings, owner of Arizona Pizza Co., did what many may would regard as irresponsible — and succeeded.
One German class short of a psychology degree at the University of Arizona, he quit school and opened up his own pizza business 10 years ago at 4955 N. Sabino Canyon Road.
Heddings was working his way through college at Upper Crust Pizza, a university-area eatery, and fell for the lifestyle. With the help of his employer, he bought cooking equipment — making payments over time — and opened his company as soon as he found a space to lease.
"I had no idea whether it would fly," he said. "But I fell in love with the business."
Today, at 36, Heddings owns two pizza shops in town. Together with a partner, he opened the second location, at 5853 E. Broadway about three years ago, but he remains the main owner of Arizona Pizza Co..
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When he started his business, Sabino Canyon Road was mainly the access to Sabino Canyon for hikers and other outdoor types, but Heddings said he ran out of dough the first day and realized that he might well be onto something.
Ever since, the area has been growing, and schoolchildren, families and others have found their way to the Arizona Pizza Co.
That's why Heddings recently expanded from the original 1,100-square-foot "dive pizza place" into a 3,400-square-foot space next door, he said. There he had enough space to add a full bar and pool tables.
But, aware of the children who come to eat his pizza, Heddings divided the room, giving kids their own area to play videogames and foosball — out of reach of the bar area.
Customer Michele Alikpala said co-workers introduced her to the place a few years ago. Now the Canyon Ranch fitness instructor goes there about once a week, favoring the green olive pizza.
Alikpala's grandparents had an Italian restaurant and she grew up with the Southern European food, but Arizona Pizza Co. passed her quality test.
"I'm kind of picky when it comes to Italian food, but especially his (Heddings') sauce is outstanding," she said. "And I really love that it's a locally owned small business. That's another huge draw."
Heddings said people should try for themselves and then decide if they like the product.
"My theory is if you like it you come back — and they keep coming back, so they must like it," he said.
Among his specialties is the "Popeye" pizza, topped with spinach, basil, garlic, feta, tomato and mozzarella; it's $15.50 for a 14-inch and $17.75 for a 16-inch pie. The lunch special with a slice of cheese pizza and a soda is $4 and a calzone, an Italian turnover stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella cheese, is $5.50.
Heddings said he uses only fresh ingredients, such as home-made dough and sauce, and he also uses high-quality mozzarella cheese.
"We do our best to make it the best possible quality," he said.
Heddings said he might like to open a new shop at another location but wants to take slow steps. Not only did he just expand his business, he also expanded his family.
That's why he might want to finish college first, he said: To tell his 5-month-old daughter, Zailey, he finished school when she grows up.
If you go
Arizona Pizza Co. has two locations:
● Foothills: 4955 N. Sabino Canyon Road.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. -11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Contact: For questions and delivery, call 299-7311.
● Midtown: 5853 E. Broadway, across the street from Park Place near Linens 'n Things and Pier 1 Imports.
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Contact: For questions and delivery, call 514-0909.
