by Bea Peterson
Richard Schoonmaker of Schaghticoke retired as a Sergeant on the Troy Police Department in February 2008. Not one to sit around, he decided to open a family business. Since his eldest son worked at LaPorto Restaurant in Troy and plans to attend college to study Culinary Arts, opening a Pizza and Deli seemed a good idea. The family business is called Schoony’s, and it is located at 59 Church St. in Hoosick Falls.
Schoonmaker learned his cooking skills from his friend Chico in Schaghticoke, who operated the Old Stable Restaurant. Schoony’s has been open since April 1 and “business was good through spring, but slowed a little during the hot summer weather,” he said.
Schoonmaker, his wife Mary and their children, ages 10 to 21, Richard, Jr., Deborah, Raymond, Candas and Michael, all contribute to the business and each one has a special pizza named for him or her. They make all their own bread and pizza dough. “We cook a 28 pound Angus beef roast every day,” said Schoonmaker. “We have top quality deli meats that can be purchased by the pound at the best prices around,” he added. “Everything we serve is fresh.”
Besides thick or thin crust pizza with Stanislaus pizza sauce, Schoony’s offers a variety of appetizers, garbage bread, homemade calzones, burgers, wings, subs, salads and dinners. Cold subs are $5 for a foot long and $3.50 for a six i
nch sub roll or wrap. “We offer a full pound burger,” said Schoonmaker. “It’s two half pound burgers, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, served on a fresh oven baked roll, along with a side of fries for $11.95. Daily lunch specials are posted in the store. As the business grows, and some time in the future, Schoonmaker plans to expand next door and offer a sit-down dinner buffet.
Schoony’s is closed Tuesday and Wednesday and open Monday and Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday from 11 am to late, Saturday from 3 pm to late and Sunday 4 pm to 7 pm. They will deliver orders with a minimum of $10. There is a $1 delivery charge. On Friday and Saturday they deliver until midnight. Schoony’s phone number is 686-9140.