Demarest Pizzeria - Pizza Express, a Demarest landmark, celebrated its 29th Anniversary on April 17, 2016. Demarest Pizzeria - Pizza Express is a local tradition specializing in not only pizza, but sandwiches, salads, appetizers, desserts, and other delicious entrees. Renke’s Senior year at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, he bought Pizza Express with three partners, with a 25%
interest in the business. Because the day of the closing was a school day for Mr. Renke, he proceeded to ask his lawyer for a note excusing him from school, stating he was at a business closing. It did not take long for Steve Renke to prove himself as an entrepreneur. Within two years of purchasing the business and making his own deliveries in his pick up truck, he bought out his two partners. Four years after the buy-out, his pizzeria was featured in the March 1993 issue of “Pizza Today,” a national publication. The business quickly grew in Demarest, leading Mr. Renke to gain school pizza lunch accounts at a majority of the schools in the area. He also began offering “Demarest Pizzeria - Pizza Express Prepaid Accounts,” which allows parents to prepay for their child. As a result, the pizzeria debits the account when the child purchases food. Today, Steve Renke continues his success story. He is still expanding with new ideas on how to keep his current customers happy and entice new ones. He most recently began hosting birthday parties at the pizzeria which he calls “Make Your Own Pizza.” He also continues to give back to the community by helping the local high school with their work study program and sponsor several local athletic teams, as well as the American Cancer Society. Mr. Renke’s success in Demarest has also led him to his wife, Moira, who was the sister of one of his employees when he first opened the store. The Renke family currently resides in Haworth, NJ with their three children. Stephen Renke can be contacted at his business – 201-768-8030
