Snacking in Salisbury Beach: Joan & Linda Pizza

Starting in 1950, Joan & Linda Pizza was a staple of the Salisbury Beach boardwalk experience for over twenty years. For most of the year Dominic DiPrima and his family lived and worked in Hollywood, Massachusetts, but every summer they could be seen in town serving pizza, shucking corn, or "star gazing" at the Frolics.

Joan & Linda Pizza stand was operated by Dominic and Connie DiPrima at the corner of Broadway and Ocean Avenue, Salisbury Beach. The stand was named after their two daughters, Joan DiPrima Petersen and Linda DiPrima Gillick. The family ran the stand from 1950 to 1978. -- Courtesy Joan Petersen — Joan & Linda Pizza stand was operated by Dominic and Connie DiPrima at the corner of Broadway and Ocean Avenue, Salisbury Beach. The stand was named after their two daughters, Joan DiPrima Petersen and Linda DiPrima Gillick. The family ran the stand from 1950 to 1978.

Courtesy Joan Petersen

From Mr. DiPrima's 1988 obituary (linked above):

Mr. DiPrima was the first to sell pizza - then called 'tomato pie' - in the resort, his wife said. He started transporting the pizza from the bakery in nearby Lawrence to Salisbury Beach in 1940, then sold it for 15 cents a slice... She and her husband made everything from scratch - the sausages, the pizza dough and sauces, the meat pies and meatballs - and bought only fresh produce for the sauces, menu items and garnishes.

'We were a team, inseparable. We even cooked together at home,' his wife said.

Lillian Roth and Dominic DiPrima serving customers at Joan & Linda Pizza, Salisbury Beach, July 21, 1956.

Courtesy Joan Petersen

When Joan and Linda weren't helping their parents at the stand, or shucking the 100 crates of corn delivered every week, they could often be seen backstage at the Frolics club with performers like Bobby Rydell, Patti Page, and Frankie Avalon.

"They both worked there every summer until the day they were married," said Connie DiPrima. "It helped put them through college."

Patti Page with sisters, Joan and Linda DiPrima, back stage at the Frolics, Salisbury Beach, July 13, 1954. Police Officer, Joe Messina can be seen in back. -- Courtesy Joan Petersen — Patti Page with sisters, Joan and Linda DiPrima, back stage at the Frolics, Salisbury Beach, July 13, 1954. Police Officer, Joe Messina can be seen in back.

Courtesy Joan Petersen

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