Milford LaRosa's owners, pictured from left to right, Rose and Butch Stertz, celebrated the opening of their new restaurant at 975 Lila Avenue, in the Milford Shopping Center, on May 28, 2019.

New spot, same beloved taste

By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria in Milford has moved to a brand new location, just across the street from their old location.

The Milford LaRosa’s has been operating out of the storefront at 28 Cemetery Road since 1974, but on May 28, location owners Butch and Rose Stertz cut the ribbon at their new restaurant at 975 Lila Avenue, in the Milford Shopping Center.

The new Milford LaRosa’s location is now open at 975 Lila Avenue.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s like birthing a baby,” Rose said of the opening. “We’re just so glad to be able to do this for the community and for our customers. It’s just an exciting time in our lives.”

While the Stertzes aren’t the original owners of the Milford LaRosa’s – they bought the restaurant in 1982 – they are responsible for growing it into the prosperous business it is today.

Still, they credit their employees and the local community for supporting their LaRosa’s location, and making it a success.

“We were over there for 37 years, and so we’ve got very loyal customers. We consider Milford being like a hometown community, and I think the people here love their LaRosa’s,” Rose Stertz said. “They love our employees, and our employees are so dedicated to the customers, and to us and to the business.”

The Stertzes thought it was time for a fresh take on their community pizzeria, so they decided to begin work on opening the new restaurant.

“It’s just a natural progression that we are able to provide them with a much nicer restaurant to come to; it has been in the works for years,” Rose said.

The new restaurant is more centrally located and that been expanded with a modern dining room and new décor.

“It’s brighter, it’s airier, it has a more upbeat feel with softer colors and hardwood, and subway tile,” Rose said, noting that this is only the second time that LaRosa’s has used that particular décor.

The new restaurant also features a 140-person dining room and a Buddy Room for parties and events.

While the Milford LaRosa’s now boasts a new storefront, its beloved menu – including calzones, hoagies, pasta, appetizers, salads, soups, desserts and special kids meals – remains the same.