Mama’s Pizza, 111 W. Main St., opened on Aug. 18. Owner Sharon Eidens said she opened up shop after being in talks with the previous owners for about a year.

“They did not want to sell at first, but they eventually decided it was time to pass it on,” Eidens said. “I was happy to take it on as I knew for a long time that I wanted to open something like this in Sherman. I had other places and ideas, but this one made the most sense.”

For Eidens, opening Mama’s Pizza is not just about pizza itself but about the location being part of the community. Being located directly on Sherman’s Main Street allows for Mama’s Pizza to be a part of the community and hands on for people, right in the center of the village.

What is most important to Eidens is offering a welcoming place for the public.

Mama’s Pizza, 111 W. Main St. in Sherman, is pictured. Mama’s Pizza offers a variety of pizzas and other items, with its menus available on Facebook and on the front counter.

“We offer a friendly, attentive, helpful, welcoming environment with good food and consistency,” Eidens said. “We want people to know that we are caring and open to their suggestions. We want to see ourselves and the community thrive.”

The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There are menus available on Facebook and on the front counter in the restaurant. Eidens said the menu will remain the same, but they are also looking to establish daily specials and a value menu in the future.

At the moment there is a current football promotion special being offered.

Mama’s Pizza is selling “football pizzas” in support of the Sherman-Ripley Wild Eagles Midget Football and Cheerleading. A “football pizza” is a personal size pepperoni pizza available for $8.50, with one dollar donated to the team per purchase. This special will be available throughout the season.

Eidens said the restaurant is also planning future renovations and working on signs. Plans include a new floor, and there is currently only one sign on the inside of the restaurant that says Mama’s Pizza.

The outside of Mama’s Pizza, which for the moment the sign advertising Feelin’ Saucy still hangs. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

She also hopes to be able to become a place the community can count on.

“We want to provide opportunity by providing jobs, and a place people can count on to be open and that cares and that people can afford to dine at on a regular basis,” Eidens said. “We want the community to know we can be relied on and to be helpful.”

Eidens added that Mama’s Pizza is “here for the long haul,” and that she does not see them leaving. She wants to be involved in the community as much as possible and to be able to help Sherman grow.

“We will work to be a success and be involved in the community,” Eidens said. “We want to keep Sherman alive and help it grow. The Chamber does many amazing things and we want to be a part of that. I worked in Erie for a long time, and I am happy to be back home.”

Eidens’s emphasis on the community involvement is not only in what she offers at her restaurant, but it is even in the name.

“We called it Mama’s Pizza because we want people to know that among the chaos and craziness of life, you always have somewhere to go,” Eidens said.