Mozzeria, an “award-winning pizzeria and San Francisco’s first deaf-owned and operated restaurant,” announced that it will open its second location at 1300 H Street, NE at 11AM EDT on September 4, 2020. Carry-out service will be available to customers, who can order online via Mozzeria’s website or upon visiting the restaurant.

Founded by deaf entrepreneurs Melody and Russ Stein in 2011, Mozzeria “has maintained its mission of providing customers a welcoming, memorable, and visual environment to experience deaf culture while working to increase career opportunities for deaf people.” According to the American Community Survey conducted in 2017, only half of deaf people were employed, compared to over 75% of the non-deaf population.

“[Cofounders] Russ and Melody established Mozzeria with the goal of reducing the significant employment disparities faced by deaf people,” said Ryan Maliszewski, Chief Executive Officer. “Beyond serving delicious, wood-fired pizza to our customers, we’re creating career opportunities for our community at Mozzeria, and showing the world creative ways to be inclusive. Mozzeria prepares our employees with the skills to advance in their careers and inspire prospective employers to hire them.”

In 2017, Mozzeria partnered with the CSD Social Venture Fund, “the first deaf-led social venture fund in the country,” with the goal of scaling the business beyond San Francisco. Designed by DC-based design studio CORE architecture + design, the restaurant was created using DeafSpace principles. These principles incorporate open-space design and strategic placement of windows, lighting, and seating designed to maximize the effective visual experience for Mozzeria customers and employees. 

As Ryan Maliszewski added, “Don’t know sign language? No problem! Mozzeria offers all our customers an inclusive and highly visual dining experience that no other restaurant can match. Our employees are committed to ensuring that our guests feel like part of our community. Come in with an open mind, an empty stomach, and leave with a fresh perspective and even fresher pizza!”

The first 50 patrons to place an order through Mozzeria’s website or at the restaurant on September 4 will receive a complimentary official Mozzeria T-shirt. For the safety of all during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mozzeria is currently providing carry-out service only.

Source: Mozzeria

Image: Mozzeria