freelance photographer
CRISTINA BETZ
After spending eight years in the military, 20 years working for Pepsi, and 17 years working for Lancer Worldwide, Harvey Page decided he wanted to travel less and do something close to home. Page originally built a building on his property to be a boat detail and shrink wrap shop because he is located one mile from the Barren River Lake. However, after Page finished constructing the building, the coronavirus pandemic hit and put his business idea on pause.
One night, Page called a local convenience store to order a Hunt Brothers carry out pizza and he was told it would be a two hour wait. “I’m like I wouldn’t wait 30 minutes on a Hunt Brothers pizza let alone two hours,” Page said. On a Friday night around 5:30 p.m. Page decided to call Plano Country Store to order a pizza and they said they were no longer taking any more orders. Page asked why and they said they had taken enough orders to utilize their oven space until closing time at 8 p.m.
Around this time, Larry’s Pizza in Fairview Plaza Shopping Center had just gone out of business. Page was able to purchase all their equipment to start his own place.
Although Page wanted to own a business that would allow him to be close to home, he also created this business for his youngest son, Christopher. When Christopher was 21 years old, he had an aneurysm and was diagnosed with a debilitating disease which prevented him from walking and talking. “He was a four-year letterman football player, four-year letterman basketball player, three-year letterman baseball player, 4.0 student and then he couldn’t feed himself,” said Page. Despite the doctor’s initial prediction that nothing could be done, they were able to reverse it. In addition to walking and talking again, Christopher just got married last week and held the wedding reception at Page’s Pizza.
“So the wheels start turning like hey, maybe pizza’s an option.”
- Harvey Page
Harvey’s son, Christopher Page, shows new employee Candy Little how to properly slice onions. Harvey Page organized a training for his new employees the day before his reopening and he let Christopher Page take the lead in showing them how things are done. "I am excited for this job," Little said. "This is going to be really fun."
"I built this for him to have down the road. I didn't know I was going to be selling pizza."
- Harvey Page
Christopher Page demonstrates how to use the vegetable slicer to the new employees. Page explains the faster you spin, the better slices you create.
After being a resident for 20 years, Page knows there are limited choices in the area to eat. “When they come through the door and get my pizza, the first thing they say is ‘My god man, thank you for being here,’” said Page.
Page opened his restaurant in the summer of 2021 and after the opening Page quickly realized several different things he wanted to change. “Last year was a learning experience, big time,” Page said. “What we have allowed ourselves to do is take that and digest it.” Page has expanded his hours, recreated his menu, built an extended dining hall, and hired a new staff. Page’s Pizza is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On his menu, Page has named several specialty pizzas after different lake terminology, like the Pontoon “Supreme” or the HouseBoat “Meat Lovers.”
"There's not a customer that comes through the door that I don't think I already know and they like to see the growth that we have."
- Harvey Page
Harvey Page hugs long time friend Ronnie Getz. Getz came down from Cincinnati, Ohio for a fishing tournament and enjoyed staying with Page and eating at his new restaurant.
While Page loved the idea of opening a restaurant close to the lake to cater to the hungry lake crowd who do not have many options nearby, Page also has a deep love for fishing. “I work every day and I am a mile from the lake and it’s like I’d give anything to just pull the boat out and go, but I got responsibilities and I will take care of that first,” Page said. When Page retires, he plans to fish a lot more.
Bradley Dubree and his son Jase enjoy Page’s Pizza on a Friday night with the family.
Harvey Page meets his high school friend, Keith Dubree's daughter for the first time. Page is always extremely outgoing and loves talking to all his customers.
Page's Pizza is the perfect place to bring family and friends together. The fun and casual atmosphere made it the perfect place to celebrate a birthday.
Bradley Dubree and his son Jase enjoy Page’s Pizza on a Friday night with the family.
In preparation for the grand reopening of Page's Pizza, Harvey Page loads his golf cart with new chairs to bring over to the restaurant. After opening in the summer of 2021, Page shut down to re-model and make a few changes. Page plans to reopen again on March 1st, 2022.
A Slice of Harvey Page
Harvey Page opened up Page’s Pizza near Barren River Lake after he realized the lack of restaurants in the area. Page is a local resident who enjoys nothing more than serving his community and working alongside his son at a business he started from scratch.
Harvey Page shares his pizza journey with his newly hired employees. This is a second job for both Candy Little (left) and Sheena Lee (right) who are just excited to have a new experience. "I am a firm believer that your career picks you, you don’t pick your career,” Page said.
freelance photographer
CRISTINA BETZ
Harvey Page decides to go fishing Sunday morning to relax and enjoy his day off from the restaurant. "We will be closed Sunday and Monday. I know I will lose a lot of business on Sunday, but if Chick-fil-A can do it, I can do it," Page said.