Local pizzeria rises to the top with small business grant from Comcast RISE

Marylee Wallwork said small businesses have always been the backbone of America. When she learned that her pizzeria, Wicked Peel, had won a Comcast RISE grant package, Wallwork thanked the corporation for investing in the mom-and-pop stores that make this country great.

“It’s the little family places and small shops that built this country,” Wallwork said. “It’s always good to see big corporations that actually think about the little guy. Comcast understands that you have to have the little guys out there for everyone to make it.”

Comcast awarded 100 grant packages to small businesses along the Wasatch Front to strengthen local communities and fuel growth. Along with $5,000, each recipient will receive a Comcast Business technology makeover, business coaching, media production and educational resources.

As the owner of Wicked Peel Pizza Kitchen, located at 3956 Innovation Drive in Riverton, Wallwork has survived several occurrences that could have tanked any other business. 

After opening in 2018, she was just making headway when COVID hit. When she recovered from that, construction began at the 134000 South intersection on Bangerter Highway. Most recently, the Jordan Basin sewer upgrades have caused a lot of disruption.

“The last six months have been the hardest. There was a time when customers had to park down the street to come get my pizza,” she said. “All I know for sure is that we’re going to put [the grant] towards marketing to let people know that we’re still here. I want people to know they can get to us and make sure people know that we’re here to serve them really good food.”

Wicked Peel serves classic Italian cuisine, made from scratch with family recipes. It offers handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, cheesy calzones, house-made meatballs and a caramel apple dessert pizza featuring apples, cinnamon crumbs, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. For more information and a complete menu, visit WickedPeel.com.

Riverton City Councilman Andy Pierucci is a big fan of Wicked Peel. He praised Wallwork on her commitment to community involvement and impact, despite challenges from local construction projects.

“Wicked Peel is a great member of our business community. They’re an awesome small business right in the heart of our economy in the city,” Pierucci said. “I’m grateful for Comcast’s investment in small businesses because when they succeed, our community succeeds.”

Ken Neil, General Manager of Comcast Advertising, is excited to have his team work with Wallwork to create a custom advertising package. He knows Wallwork has struggled with visibility and he hopes to quickly change that. 

“We can get her brand or product out into the marketplace that people will see,” he said. “We are the largest broadband provider in the state, so we get data. Then, we’re able to target the specific people she is trying to reach. It makes it efficient and minimizes the waste of advertising power.”

In addition to the Wasatch Front, grant recipients were announced in four other regions: Boston, Massachusetts; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Nashville, Tennessee; and Seattle, Washington, for a total of 500 recipients this year. To date, Comcast RISE has provided a total of $160 million in monetary, marketing and technology resources to 14,500 small businesses nationwide, underscoring Comcast’s belief that when small businesses thrive, communities thrive.

“Comcast RISE is about helping Utah’s small businesses not just survive, but thrive,” said Deneiva Knight, External Affairs Director, Comcast Mountain West Region. “By providing grants, marketing, and technology support, we’re investing in the entrepreneurs whose success fuels growth and opportunity across our communities.”

The Wicked Peel pizzeria is known for its made-from-scratch pizzas and pastas, and other tasty menu items. (Photo courtesy of Marylee Wallwork)