SILVERTON- An increase in customers has led two businesses in the heart of the city's business district to expand.

        Fritz Krimmer, co-owner of Italianette Pizza, 6918 Plainfield Rd., said they have bought a double building next door to get more space to accommodate their flow of customers.

        “We are actually too small to handle all the customers we get,” Mr. Krimmer said.

        Italianette Pizza is basically a carryout now, with limited sit-down space.

        “When we complete the expansion, we will have space for about 78 people,” Mr. Krimmer said. “We are not planning anything fancy, just a place with a family atmosphere and reasonable enough for the average family.”

        DRS/Bonded, a collection system, at 6906 Plainfield Rd. is building an addition above its first-level office.

        “We are adding another 4,200 square feet of space and will add another 35 employees to the 35 we have,” said Donald D. Wood, Jr., president of the company. “We need more space for meeting rooms and training areas.”

        DRS (Diversified Recovery Systems) of Milford merged with Bonded in 1996 and moved to Silverton.

        “I think both business expansions will mean a lot to our business district,” said David Waltz, city administrator. “We are working to get more businesses” at the intersection of Plainfield and Montgomery Roads.

        Across the street from both businesses are several vacant buildings where Rite Aid had proposed a $2.5 million superstore in 1999 but backed out when its corporate office cut back on expansions.

        Mr. Krimmer said they will knock out the wall in the present building and combine it with the building they bought. He said workers will start tearing out floors, refurbishing the front next week. The added area will include a kitchen and a dining room.

        “Right now we have a problem handling all of our carry-out service. It is almost a constant flow of customers,” Mr. Krimmer said.

        The business is family-owned and operated. His mother, Shirley, and brother, Steve, are co-owners.

        “I have cousins working here, and sometime my dad stops by,” Mr. Krimmer said. “We expect to add about 10 or 15 more employees when the addition is finished.”

        The pizzeria employs 15 people now. The expansion will cost $250,000 and is being financed by Provident Bank. Mr. Krimmer said he expects the renovation to be completed in eight weeks.

        Mr. Wood said it will cost $325,000 for the new addition. He said it will be financed through a Small Business Administration loan and through the Huntington National Bank.

        “Workers will begin laying blocks next week,” Mr. Wood said.

        Roberts Construction, 468 Cincinnati-Batavia Pike, Mount Carmel, is handling both projects.

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