Keeping it local

In a town that feels like it’s constantly changing, we’ve got some good (bittersweet) news: Home Slice Pizza has been sold, but to a group of locals who want to carry on the Durango mainstay’s tradition.

It was announced this week that all three Home Slice locations will be sold to Peak Food & Beverage, the parent company that runs Steamworks Brewing Co., El Moro Spirits & Tavern and Bird’s.

Kris Oyler, CEO of Peak, said in an interview with The Telegraph that no major upheavals are coming to the beloved pizza shop.

“We’re not going to change anything,” Oyler said. “We’re remarkably aligned in our philosophies – very locally focused. It was just a real natural fit that came together easily.”

Founded by Cory and Lynn Kitch, Home Slice has been dishing up pizza in Durango for more than 20 years, becoming a staple in town with three locations.

But recently, Cory was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “We had a dream when we started Home Slice and, unfortunately, we cannot carry on the dream any further,” Lynn said in a statement. “But we cannot imagine anyone better than Peak to carry on our vision.”

Peak itself has been around for 25 years, and is 40% employee owned. The company plans to offer the same or enhanced benefits to Home Slice employees, including health insurance, paid time off and ownership opportunities.

“We’re going to run it as is and perpetuate (the Kitches) dream,” Oyler said.

For the Kitches, it’s a bittersweet moment.

“We are all locals that wanted to make a living here with great respect for our community and our employees,” Lynn said.  “It is inconceivable how good this fit is (selling to Peak), and we are all excited about it.  We are selling to our friends.”