Tiki Sam’s Pizza hosted a Pizza Date Night for Valentine’s Day. Courtesy | Facebook

Hillsdale couples traveled to a Horton pizzeria called Tiki Sam’s Pizza Monday night for its inaugural Pizza Date Night.

Freshman Olyvia Oeverman said her boyfriend dragged her along, but by the end of the night she was glad she went.

“From the first moment we walked in I could not stop smiling,” Oeverman said. “From the warm welcome, to the charcuterie board and custom pizzas, it felt like we had been invited over to a friend’s house for dinner.”

A ticket included admission for two, custom aprons bearing the couple’s names, and two pizzas the couple would make during the lesson.

Attendees also received a behind-the-scenes view of how the unique pizzas on the Tiki Sam’s menu are made, including their “Dilly Pie” and “Honey Love” specials.

When Sam Durocher started Tiki Sam’s, he operated the business out of his truck before moving into the current location just outside of Jackson last June.

“Pizza truly saved my life,” Durocher said. “I had worked for far too long in the IT business, and people would only ever call me when there was a problem. Now I get to do what I love.”

The Valentine’s class was one of the many ways Durocher has attempted to reach the community, and the first time slot sold out so fast that he added two additional classes later in the day.

“I’m not doing these for the money,” Durocher said. “I’m doing them because I want others to love making pizza as much as I do.”

Durocher also said Tiki Sam’s pizza boxes are designed to be used as bibs, and the box features a QR code leading to a Spotify playlist inspired by classic tunes played in pizza trucks.

Customization has been a defining trait of the small business, and Durocher credits his wife with all the artwork featured on the walls of the small shop.

Going forward, Durocher said he hopes to bring his food truck to more events in the area, including the college’s White and Blue Weekend this spring.

“My secret to success has really been my family,” Durocher said. “I have my wife, kids, siblings, and nieces and nephews all working with me. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them.”