Restaurant owner connects with us to solve Pasco County pizza problem

Hudson, FL - At Marzella's Italian Restaurant, the specialty is pizza.

But there are not a lot of pies being made at this pizza parlor, which is weird for a Wednesday, says regular customer Maryanne Rodriguez. "Sometimes it is so packed that people are sitting out there on the benches waiting to come in and then they're bumping elbows," said Rodriguez.

That is a big problem for owner Frank Marzella because pizza is his biggest moneymaker. "I rely on take-out. That's 90% of my business, plus the catering, which I was really looking forward to help pay some bills," said Marzella.

The irony is Marzella recently switched from Verizon to Bright House to save money on his phone bill. Then, days after the switch, customers started coming into the restaurant saying the same thing. "[They said] 'Oh, I knew you guys were still open but something's wrong with your phones. We've been trying to get through. And then, right in front of me, one customer tried to call me from her cell phone and I heard it ringing on her end but it wasn't ringing on my end," said Marzella.

In business for more than seven years, Marzella knew it was not normal for the phones to be so quiet. "I have three phone lines that are supposed to be ringing. That is why I have three phone lines... Thank God I have a few tables inside here or I would have had to close my doors already."

When Marzella couldn't get the results he wanted from his current provider, Bright House, he connected with us.

We called Bright House and the company spokesman said the problem was on Verizon's end by way of a glitch in the system that happened during the switch. Bright House insisted that now, the problem is fixed. As for the lack of pizzas being made at Marzella's, Bright House agrees it is unfair hardship on the customer, so its Business Solutions department is going to work with Marzella's to help make up for lost business.

"I hope that happens," said Marzella, adding, "I just want people to know that we are open for business."

After connecting with us, it seems Marzella's phones are back in business and so is he. Just before we left the restaurant, Marzella received his first catering call of the holiday season: 80 people for a Thanksgiving dinner.