Owensboro Times Pizza Week is off to such a strong start that some restaurants ran out of dough or sold through their specials on the very first day. The surge of demand has tested kitchens and bakers, but it has also brought out the best in local businesses, with restaurants helping each other make sure no one is left behind. That spirit of cooperation is exactly what Pizza Week is about, and customers can play a big part, too.
The Oven, for example, ran out of dough Friday after a flood of orders. They posted on Facebook: “So sorry for any inconvenience but with huge demand today we have ran out of pizza crust.”
What happened next showed what Pizza Week is really about. 54 Pizza contacted The Oven and offered to make sure they had plenty of crust for Saturday. The Oven showed thanks for the gesture and wished a busy Saturday to 54 Pizza.
That message sparked a heartfelt response from 54 Pizza: “Ahhh so sweet of you! We were glad to reach out. As you know, events like this are so helpful for local businesses and we just wanted to help if we could, but it sounded like you had it all covered! And we’ve heard so many good things about your pizza and your submission in the contest! That flavor combo—wow! We definitely want to stop by and try it!”
The exchange was more than a friendly back-and-forth; it was a reminder that Pizza Week isn’t just about competition. It’s about collaboration and making sure every restaurant has a chance to shine. With the businesses themselves going out of their way to support each other, we’re asking customers to do the same.
Beyond simply ordering a slice, there are plenty of easy ways to support the 28 participating restaurants. Think of it as a kindness checklist for Pizza Week.
Start with the basics: when you see a Pizza Week post from a participating restaurant, hit “like.” Better yet, drop a comment or save it to share later. Snap a picture and post it. A quick story or feed update tagged to the restaurant lets your friends know there’s something worth trying, and it often inspires them to check it out for themselves. Those small gestures may not seem like much, but they help the posts reach more people and remind the businesses that the community is paying attention.
And finally, leave a positive review. If you tried something you loved, take two minutes to put it in writing online. Reviews live long after Pizza Week wraps up and help restaurants continue to grow their customer base.
Of course, kindness also means patience. With so many people diving into Pizza Week, some restaurants are experiencing long waits and limited availability. If your favorite spot runs out of dough or the wait is a little longer than usual, take it as a good sign: Pizza Week is working exactly as intended.
So while you’re collecting punches on your Pizza Week Passport and chasing down your 10th creation for a shot at prizes, remember that your support can stretch further than your appetite. A like, a share, a shout-out, or a kind review can mean just as much to a local business as a clean plate.
Pizza Week runs through September 28, but with a little extra patience and kindness, the benefits for local restaurants can last all year.
Want to see a Pizza Week menu? Looking for a map to guide you? Interested in winning our coloring and mascot naming contests? Find all that and more on the official OT Pizza Week page here.
Owensboro Times Pizza Week is possible with help from sponsors and partners. We want to thank our poll sponsor WBKR, along with Chad Benefield and Mary-Katherine Maddox, for their participation in videos and on air. Award sponsors include Barrel Heads Liquor Market, CRS OneSource, and Vass CDJR.
