Pizzeria adds second location in Kalispell

There’s another new restaurant in Kalispell’s Blue Cow neighborhood.

Second Street Pizza of Whitefish opened a Kalispell pizzeria — also called Second Street Pizza — June 5 in the former ScottiBelli’s Pizzeria space on Commons Way next to Mountain Valley Foods.

“It was time,” restaurant owner Dave Sheeran said. “I’ve been open for 10 years in Whitefish and the opportunity in Kalispell arose. The irons were hot to strike. You gotta keep moving.”

Kalispell’s Second Street Pizza will have the same menu as the Whitefish restaurant, which features New York-style pizza, pasta, sandwiches and specialties such as garlic knots, mussels marinara and wings.

The hours will be the same at both restaurants — 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The only difference will be the delivery schedule, Sheeran said. Kalispell delivery hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. while Whitefish delivery is available from 5 to 11 p.m.

A native New Yorker, Sheeran was born and raised in Queens, then moved to Manhattan where his father operated several restaurants. His grandfather owned a couple of restaurants in Queens and his brother and cousins also were lured into the food business.

Sheeran eventually tapped into the restaurant business as well, opening five restaurants, mostly bar-and-grill eateries, in New York City over a stretch of time.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 were a turning point for Sheeran. His main restaurant was a block and a half from the World Trade Center.

The business never recovered, so he sold all of his restaurants and moved to Montana.

Many Flathead Valley residents will remember Sheeran’s first popular restaurant in Whitefish, Mama Blanca’s, which featured Puerto Rican and Cuban cuisine. He operated that eatery for a few years at 306 E. Second St. before converting it to Second Street Pizza.

Sheeran is still filling out his staff for the Kalispell restaurant, and he’s looking forward to building a clientele in the Kalispell area.

“We’re the king of pizza in Whitefish,” he said. “And we’re soon to be the king of pizza in Kalispell. It’s been very well-received.”