Gary Lauck spent 30 years flying high as a Navy pilot, deploying countless times, and raising a family along the way. Married with two teenage kids, he imagined a future after the military that didn’t quite take shape at first. Consulting? Building a business? The options felt endless – and overwhelming.

“I had several ideas but wasn’t sure what to do next,” Gary admits. “I tried to build an app to help people remember names and connect better socially—Past Zero—which I pitched at Start Peninsula in 2018. But after spending a lot of money and experiencing bad luck with finding the right app developer, that plan never made it to fruition.”

Even after setbacks, Gary stayed engaged in the local business community. He ran Startup Night for several years – a monthly meetup where three startup companies pitched their ideas to locals – until COVID ended in-person events. But he never lost his drive.

In early 2025, inspiration struck closer to home. Gary’s son, Josh, noticed a local pizzeria had closed, sparking a father-son idea: maybe they could open a pizza shop together.

“It’s funny,” Gary says. “I worked in a couple of pizza shops back home in West Virginia in the ’80s, and I’d always wanted to open my own. The military just never left room for that dream – until now.”

The previous owner had unfortunately passed, leaving the space but no recipes. For months, the Laucks did construction, cleaned and organized the shop, and developed recipes from scratch during many late nights in the kitchen. Then, on June 17, they opened The Pizzeria at Haygood, and quickly realized the shop filled a neighborhood gap.

The menu offers something for everyone: classic slices, specialty Bianca pies, and a variety of other options crafted with care. But the heart of the business is the team. Gary proudly employs almost a dozen high schoolers.

“Yes, high schoolers,” he laughs. “So many people talk about young people being lazy these days, but I see the opposite. This is a great group of kids – hardworking, enthusiastic, and full of energy. I get to share insights and help mold these young men to shape their future.”

Feedback came fast and enthusiastic. Carol Titsworth wrote on Facebook: “Gary, the proprietor, was so accommodating! This is going to be our go-to place for sure!! They have a great menu and are reasonably priced. Hats off to you and your team!!” Another customer, Junior Kitchen, added: “I really got to say you have something special there… you have taken the number 1 spot in my pizza place in Virginia. Great pizza cooked to perfection.”

Gary describes his style as “New York style pizza with a Virginia Beach flair.” His goal is simple: to be the local pizza place known for welcoming service, a solid pie, and treating customers right.

“You don’t get that very often these days,” he says.

The Pizzeria at Haygood is located just north of Town Center in Virginia Beach, ready to serve locals a slice of comfort – and a taste of Gary’s lifelong dream.

The Pizzeria at Haygood is open Wednesday through Sunday, with hours and the full menu available on their website.

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