Market Street Pizza isn’t just another pizzeria; it’s a vibrant slice of Spokane Valley culture, tucked away with a view overlooking downtown Spokane and the valley. The walls tell a story even before you taste the pizza, adorned with elaborate spray-painted murals featuring iconic characters like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – fittingly surrounded by their favorite food: pizza. This isn’t just about grabbing a bite; it’s about experiencing a place with character.
Stepping inside Market Street Pizza, you’re immediately greeted by the lively buzz of happy customers. During the dinner rush, the staff moves with practiced efficiency, while the joyful sounds of children fill the arcade area to the left. The classic brick walls and warm string lighting create a welcoming atmosphere, punctuated by the nostalgic glow of pinball machines and a Seattle Seahawks neon sign. Even a fortune-telling machine adds to the quirky charm, standing near the pool tables and bar area, offering a unique touch to your visit.
(Alt: Lively interior of Market Street Pizza in Spokane Valley, showcasing arcade games and happy children enjoying family fun.)
You’ll likely spot Aaron Fiorini, the co-owner and self-proclaimed “dough slinger,” working diligently in the kitchen alongside his team. Fiorini runs a tight operation, ensuring each team member plays a crucial role in their well-oiled system. However, professionalism doesn’t come at the expense of fun. Fiorini’s passion is infectious, often breaking into song and visibly excited about a perfectly cooked pizza. This energetic atmosphere is a key ingredient in Market Street Pizza’s success, but there’s much more to this Spokane favorite than just surface-level charm.
Market Street Pizza first opened its doors on November 15, 2019. Ask about the opening date, and you might get a playful deflection from Aaron. As his wife and business partner, Angel Fiorini, jokingly shares, “Try asking him when his first daughter was born!” Aaron’s smiling “Next question,” reveals a personal touch to the business that goes beyond just dates and figures.
As Market Street Pizza approached its second anniversary, the story behind its creation became an integral part of its appeal. The Fiorinis’ roots are deeply embedded in Hillyard, the very neighborhood where their restaurant thrives. Their relationship itself has a charming pizza connection. About two decades ago, Angel, then working at David’s Pizza, delivered a pizza to Aaron. That delivery sparked a conversation, and soon after, a relationship blossomed. Coincidentally, Angel also dealt cards in the upstairs section of what is now Market Street Pizza, back when it was the Riverbend Casino. It’s almost as if pizza was destined to bring them together and ultimately lead to Market Street Pizza.
But the true origin story of Market Street Pizza stretches back to Aaron’s childhood. He fondly recalls, “When it was pizza night at my house, that also probably meant it was movie night, and we went over to Premier Video and picked up a VHS, maybe even two of them. I might even have got a Nintendo, as my mom called it an ‘Intendo,’ game, and man that was a weekend.” These simple joys of family, food, and entertainment are the foundation upon which Market Street Pizza is built.
(Alt: Aaron Fiorini, owner of Market Street Pizza Spokane Valley, expertly preparing fresh pizza dough in his kitchen.)
Fiorini also credits his Italian heritage as a major influence. “I’ve always loved to cook, and I’m Italian, so I think pizza runs through my blood – it’s in my veins,” he explains. This passion isn’t just about heritage; it’s a genuine love for the dish itself. “I just love pizza,” Fiorini states simply. “Nothing will cure a blue Monday better than a pizza. It’s a cure-all for hangovers, it’s a cure-all for depression – eat it when you’re happy, eat it when you’re sad, eat it in the summer, eat it in the winter.”
This deep affection for pizza fuels his commitment to crafting the best possible pizza experience, setting Market Street Pizza apart from the average pizzeria. Fiorini dedicated two years to rigorously studying pizza making, devouring books, videos, and podcasts on the subject. He “studied the masters,” citing pizza icons like Domenico “Dom” DeMarco and Mark Iacono as inspirations. Market Street Pizza’s dedication to quality is evident in their meticulous ingredient selection process, testing numerous cheese, pepperoni, and flour options to find the absolute best, rather than settling for “slapping some basic ingredients together.”
Fiorini proudly highlights their choice of locally milled Shepherd’s Grain flour. “So much testing and so much practice, and by practice, I mean eating pizza,” Fiorini laughs, emphasizing the enjoyable dedication to their craft.
While Fiorini can enthusiastically discuss the nuances of pizza making for hours, he always circles back to the core value of family that underpins Market Street Pizza. “I have a family, and family is everything to me,” he says. As a father of three, Fiorini envisioned a place where families could come together, something he felt was missing in Hillyard. He drew inspiration from places like the Five Mile Heights Pizza Parlor, a cherished spot for family fun in north Spokane. “You know, to be able to watch the football game, eat some pizza, kids can go play around, we can drink a beer and just have that blue-collar feeling,” Fiorini describes his vision for Market Street Pizza – a welcoming, unpretentious space for everyone.
Another key goal was to create a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Rejecting the stuffiness of formal dining, Fiorini embraced a more lively, family-friendly environment. “Kids are running down the hallway back and forth here. It gets a little wild, but it is truly family-friendly,” Fiorini explains. “Fun for everybody from babies to full-grown adult babies.”
Running such a business demands a unique kind of individual, and Fiorini is candid about the challenges. “You have to be absolutely insane, like out of your mind,” Fiorini jokes, but with a hint of seriousness. “It’s 24/7 work. Even when you’re not here, you’re still on the phone and working. You have to have some serious gumption, and you have to be completely dedicated.”
Market Street Pizza has faced its share of hurdles. When asked about difficulties, Fiorini quips, “That’s a 10-point question.” He points to the ongoing challenges of employee retention, maintaining consistency, and navigating fluctuating food prices. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly been the biggest challenge recently. Opening just four months before Washington’s initial lockdown, the Fiorinis, like countless other restaurant owners, were immediately thrust into the pandemic’s turmoil. “There’s a lot of things that make it hard, but there’s a lot of things that make it worth it all,” Fiorini reflects. “And anything truly rewarding is not easy.”
The rewards come in the form of customer satisfaction. Fiorini shares heartwarming anecdotes: “people say this is the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life,” or “I’m from the East Coast, and I haven’t had pizza like this since I was young or since I was in New York.” He also cherishes the simple joy of “looking at the arcade and seeing smiles on kids’ faces, having adults say, ‘Man, this is just like what I remember when I was a kid at pizzerias.’”
Looking ahead, the future is bright for Market Street Pizza. They’ve recently introduced open-mic comedy nights every Monday in their upstairs lounge, a nod to the building’s past as the “Bluz at the Bend,” thanks to Mike Thomas. Exciting additions are also on the horizon, including a spacious outdoor patio with stunning Spokane views and an outdoor live-music stage in development. Fiorini is particularly enthusiastic about his project to convert a 20-foot shipping container into an outdoor kitchen, further expanding their capabilities.
During the interview, Kyle Ronan, a friend of Fiorini’s and a Market Street Pizza patron, perfectly summarized the pizzeria’s appeal. “I feel like the world all just needs to come together, we need to quit fighting and arguing so much, why don’t we all just sit down and have a pizza?” Ronan suggested. “Life is too short for all the ruckus and shenanigans. Get together with your loved ones and come on down to a pizzeria. Show a little love, you know? Maybe buy a round for the kitchen staff when they get off work,” he chuckled.
“Man, that’s it. He wrapped it up perfectly,” Fiorini agreed, encapsulating the simple yet profound philosophy at the heart of Market Street Pizza: good pizza, good company, and good times in Spokane Valley.
(Alt: Market Street Pizza Spokane Valley exterior view at dusk, showcasing its welcoming ambiance and street presence.)
