The Original Pizza Place was founded in the Grand Central Mall in 1976 by Brooklyn, NY native, Michael Ruscitto. The Pizza Place introduced Pizza by the Slice to the MOV and instantly became a town staple.

As the business grew, Mike brought in his Uncle and  they opened four more stores in a period of 15 years- two in Parkersburg, WV (across from Parkersburg High School and across from Parkersburg South High School), in Bridgeport, WV, and in Myrtle Beach, SC.

In the late 1990’s, the partnership disbanded and each took their own stores. Mike currently owns and manages The Original Pizza Place in the Grand Central Mall, and opened the newest location in downtown Marietta, Ohio in 2012.​​