Black Market Pizza

**Cyforce** · 09-16-2010, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonepower

interesting never had chucks before, going to have to try it. Do you have a comparison to anything?

I grew up on Chucks, he was Babes Bisignanos brother. Which was in downtown DSM. His dughter Linda owns it now. Very good thin crust pizza much like Hilltop on E29th and Hubbell. They sell their Italian dressing in the grocery stores and it's excellent. I will say that their pizzas can be inconsistent anymore but at one time they were outstanding.

**capitalcityguy** · 09-16-2010, 05:06 PM

Was Ankeny the best place to establish first presence of this business in the metro? I don't know (because I never tried it). Just asking the question.

**CycloneErik** · 09-16-2010, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

Was Ankeny the best place to establish first presence of this business in the metro? I don't know (because I never tried it). Just asking the question.

If it was, it was way too early. It's not the way to start when the odds are that you're just struggling to break even at one location. I would doubt that one location would be making money this early, much less enough to try this.

Ankeny seems like a good market for them, but not so soon.

**capitalcityguy** · 09-16-2010, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

If it was, it was way too early. It's not the way to start when the odds are that you're just struggling to break even at one location. I would doubt that one location would be making money this early, much less enough to try this.

Ankeny seems like a good market for them, but not so soon.

Based on what?

Is Ankeny a place full of unique, locally owned establishments or is it more of a haven for formulated, safe national chain restaurants?

That is what I was trying to get at.

**CycloneErik** · 09-17-2010, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

Based on what?

Is Ankeny a place full of unique, locally owned establishments or is it more of a haven for formulated, safe national chain restaurants?

That is what I was trying to get at.

They're not full of them, but they have a growing town and people with money for expensive stuff. Of the towns around DSM, Ankeny or West Des Moines would probably be their best 2nd location (when that time was actually right).

Since it looks like they were dividing their staff between the two, Ankeny might have been best to make quick trips between the two locations (for whatever reason).

**Ms3r4ISU** · 09-17-2010, 07:53 AM

From an article on Ames News Online yesterday
Black Market Pizza staying open | Ames News Online

**Chad** · 09-17-2010, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

Based on what?

Is Ankeny a place full of unique, locally owned establishments or is it more of a haven for formulated, safe national chain restaurants?

That is what I was trying to get at.

In Ankeny's Business Directory I count around 81 restaurants, I removed the ones I knew were catering, one had closed, etc. but 81 is close. Out of those 81 I believe 44 are "national" chains and that includes 2 MacDonalds, 3 Subways, 2 Jimmy John's, counted the 2 Casey's carry-out pizza's, etc. In the 37 more local restaurants I included Northern Lights Pizza even though they have stores in Iowa and Missouri and some of the Mexican restaurants might be chains I have never heard of, but even if I'm off a little I think you could argue that Ankeny is about 50/50.

**dmclone** · 10-07-2010, 12:33 PM

Thinking about visiting this joint. Any recommendations on type of crust?

**khehr** · 10-07-2010, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Thinking about visiting this joint. Any recommendations on type of crust?

I am fairly sure they went out of business, about two weeks ago.

--did some research--

I was wrong, they closed all the locations BUT the Ames locale.

http://www.blackmarketpizza.com/blog/

**Ms3r4ISU** · 10-07-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by khehr

I am fairly sure they went out of business, about two weeks ago.

No, the Ames (original location) place is open. Their Ankeny store closed.
Which to order? If you're going to a specific place, I'd always recommend getting something specific to that place. Sweet potato crust, barbecued Iowa chop, etc. Black Market Pizza - The Menu | Fresh Pizza for Delivery - Take Out - Dine-in