Pop's Pizza owner finds his dream, thanks to Craigslist | Federal Way business buzz

Craigslist apparently played matchmaker for the new owner of a Federal Way pizza shop.

Mario Zahareiv found an online listing for the sale of Pop’s Kitchen while looking to buy a restaurant. The listing had been posted earlier that day.

“The next day, I was here,” he said.

Nearly two months later, Pop’s Pizza and Pasta is picking up where the former owner left off. Nestled in a strip mall at South 312th Street and Pacific Highway, Pop’s offers carryout and free delivery for its extensive menu. The dough and sauces are made from scratch every morning, and the restaurant features daily specials.

One of Pop’s most popular items is the Federal Way Pizza, topped with shredded pepperoni, onions, green peppers, garlic, oregano, parmesan cheese and Italian sausage.

Aside from gourmet pizzas like the Acapulco Taco and the Chicken Alfredo, Pop’s menu boasts a range of salads, hot sandwiches, calzones, pasta and desserts.

Zahareiv has enjoyed doing business in Federal Way, praising the friendliness of customers and fellow merchants. Once the economy picks up, his goal is to eventually open another Pop’s location with a dining room.

The 37-year-old Zahareiv is joined by three other employees, including his wife, Lina. The Bulgaria native brought his family to the United States five years ago. He worked at a pizzeria in Burien before coming to Federal Way to run Pop’s.

After working in the restaurant industry most of his life, with a stint in Greece, Zahareiv and his family moved to the U.S. to turn his dream of owning a business into reality.

Only in the U.S. has that been possible, he said. “Nowhere else.”

Check it out

Pop’s Pizza and Pasta is located at 1620 312th St., Suite D, Federal Way. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Delivery is free for orders of $15 or more. Call (253) 839-7100 or visit popspizzadelivery.com. Also check out Pop’s on Facebook.

Contact Federal Way Mirror Editor Andy Hobbs at editor@fedwaymirror.com or 1-253-925-5565 (ext 5050).

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