Roni Gehlke: Local pizza chain in new TV ad campaign

ROUND TABLE PIZZA insiders reported this week that Oakley's newly located restaurant was the filming site for a statewide television commercial. The restaurant closed for one day last week while the crew came out to film pizza preparation and cooking, as well as shots around the restaurant.

The West Coast pizza chain, whose corporate office is in Concord, decided to film its latest commercial at the Oakley restaurant because it was one of the newest and nicest of its 500 locations. For Oakley residents who haven't had a chance to stop by the new restaurant it is really a treat. The restaurant moved to the corner of Carol Lane and Main Street, across from the Cypress Square (Raley's) shopping center, a couple of months ago.

For more than 30 years, Round Table Pizza had been on the corner of Main Street and Vintage Parkway. Its move was set before the change in the economy, and another restaurant was going to rebuild in its place. That project was put on hold, but Round Table Pizza continued with its relocation and got a much better deal in the process. The new building, next to Starbucks, is 3,702 square feet and seats 136 people, which includes a glass enclosed banquet room that seats 40.

They also have a window area where customers can watch the restaurant workers hand toss their pizza and add all of the ingredients. Since moving the management has added several new promotions to really bring out a family atmosphere for the restaurant. One such feature is a Sunday Family Night that invites kids to come and cook their own pizza. The "Kids Are Cookin'" takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. and offers a $5 special where kids get to make their own pizza. They also get to go home with a chef hat and apron. The program is open for kids 10 and under.

Insiders aren't allowed to tell what kinds of surprises will be found in the new commercial, but employees are pretty excited that they have a site that they can be proud of. Look for the commercial to be on local network and cable channels in the next few months.

BUSINESS LICENSES DUE: The city of Oakley is reminding businesses that annual business licenses are due June 30. Renewals were sent late last month to all of the current business license owners. Since the bid to increase license fees in November of 2008 didn't pass the voters, fees are still the same as they have been for the past several years.

Also, remember that those who are conducting business out of homes within the Oakley city limits are still required to have business licenses. Many people who work out of their homes don't realize that business licenses are still needed. For example, even those who sell cosmetics or have Internet businesses may still need a license. It is important to check with the city officials to be sure.

Home occupation permits are also needed for home businesses. Forms can be obtained at the City Office at 3231 Main St. or printed directly from the city's Web site at www.oakleyinfo.com.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Get ready to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Oakley as a city. The city will be kicking off its celebration on July 4 at Freedom High School. This will be the first of four celebrations during this fiscal year. The plan is to have this first celebration, then a Harvest Festival on Oct. 24 at City Hall. The next dates planned are a Christmas tree lighting in December and in May 2010 there will be a special activity at a different Oakley park every weekend as part of Passport to Parks Month.

The city will offer a special commemorative lapel pin that will be available all year for residents who want to remember this milestone. Pins will be available at the July Fourth celebration for $2. They will probably only be available until they run out, so make sure to get one early.