ILLY’S Fire Pizza is leaving W. Social Tap & Table in Dayton’s historic Wright-Dunbar District after nearly two years to return to its mobile roots. The business, owned by Robert and Kelly Gunn, aims to engage more directly with the community through their mobile pizza trailer.
“We want to get out in the community a little more and we can do that in the trailer,” said Robert Gunn. “We love serving the community. We like doing festivals. We like being face-to-face with our customers.”
Their last day at the food hall was Friday, May 31. ILLY’S Fire Pizza began as a family tradition and became a business priority after Robert lost his job at a telephone company. The idea of making pizza started on Christmas Eve following a flour fight with his daughter, sparking his passion for the craft.
Launched in March 2013, the business initially operated a mobile oven setup under a tent. In 2022, they upgraded to a 24-foot, wood-fired pizza trailer, embracing opportunities to serve at job sites and community events.
Moving into W. Social Tap & Table, the Gunns aimed to offer healthier pizza options using turkey products instead of pork or beef. However, this did not align with the preferences of the food hall’s patrons. Key lessons from their time at the food hall included managing overhead costs and diversifying their menu to compete with neighboring vendors. They expanded their offerings to include wings, calzones, pasta bowls, salads, and sandwiches.
ILLY’S Fire Pizza will continue to participate in events throughout the Dayton region. Their next major event is the City of West Carrollton’s Summer Concert Series featuring Velvet Crush and a drone show on June 13. They will also be present at Amazon Fulfillment Center and P&G in Vandalia during the week.
Looking ahead, the Gunns plan to bottle ILLY’S signature pizza sauce and introduce pizza kits and take-and-bake pizzas. For updates on their location, visit foodtruck.pub.
W. Social Tap & Table has identified a new tenant for the vacated space, with further details yet to be disclosed.