Four months ago, U.S. Army veteran Josh Mosley was looking into what it would take to become an owner of a Taco Bell. Two months later, he and two business partner had purchased an independent pizza shop in Scotts Valley.
Mosley, 24, purchased the longstanding pizza shop in the Victor Square shopping center about two months ago, and promptly changed the name, simplified the recipes and found new suppliers for ingredients.
The new name, Slices of Life Pizza Co., was the result of a short and sweet 10-minute conversation about the restaurant, which has previously been called Treehouse Pizza and before that, Santa Cruz Pizza Company and Gashouse Pizza
“We’re just trying to take it in a new direction,” Mosley said. “(The restaurant) needed a fresh start and I am trying to give it that.”
Mosley is a combat veteran who served as active duty Army for six years including 1-year tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He remains an active member of the National Guard.
Although Mosley who was born in Santa Cruz and graduated from Salinas High, has never owned a pizza restaurant, his business partners know the ropes from previous pizza experience.
As for the menu, Mosley said they have simplified things — offering pepperoni and cheese pizza by the slice, with a drink for less than $5 during the week.
“It’s an American pizza,” Mosley said. “We try to keep it simple.”
Specialty items include pizza’s called the Meatfest, a pizza loaded with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage, bacon and chicken; and The Steinbeck, a shrimp pie with garlic sauce, mushroom, onions and spinach.
Slices of life picks up fresh produce daily from the Castroville and Moss Landing areas, where one of the cooks commutes from, and is pushing delivery, especially to the north end of Scotts Valley.
Mosley is starting a Salvation Army benefit, where 10 percent of proceeds every Tuesday night through Christmas will go to benefit the nonprofit.
The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday at 18-B Victor Square. For information: 430-0793 or facebook.com/slicesoflifepizza
