Nestled in Kennett Square, Antonia’s Pizzeria is more than just a pizza place—it’s a reflection of family, community, and a passion for good pizza. Behind the pizza shop is Tucker and Gina McDonald, a husband-and-wife duo who first met at Kennett High School.
Gina was born and raised in Landenberg, and Tucker moved to Chester County in 8th grade. After graduating from Kennett High School in 2007, the two went their own way then reconnected 12 years ago. Together, they spent five years in Philadelphia, where Tucker worked remotely in the tech industry, and Gina worked in merchandising at Urban Outfitters and Campbell’s Soup.
Seeking a fresh adventure, the couple relocated to Missoula, Montana, where Gina earned her realtor’s license. Together, they invested in real estate and launched several Airbnbs. This shift allowed Tucker to step away from the corporate grind and focus on something new. Tucker had always enjoyed cooking, having worked in a few restaurants during college. Soon, the couple purchased a Poke bowl restaurant in downtown Missoula and later opened “Pizzeria Gina,” a pizza trailer lovingly named after his wife that gave Tucker the opportunity to play around and master the art of pizza.
The Return to Kennett Square
In 2022, after the birth of their daughter, Antonia (Toni), the couple decided to move back to Kennett Square to be closer to family. Tucker landed a job at a fine-dining restaurant in Philadelphia but couldn’t shake the dream of owning his own business again. When Tucker suggested opening a new pizza restaurant in the old Gran Sasso building, everything fell into place. Tucker fondly recalls the time when it was the Poolside Deli before Gran Sasso.
After signing the lease, Tucker and Gina got to work in January 2023, transforming the space into what is now named after their daughter, Antonia. After a soft opening for friends and family in June, Antonia’s Pizzeria officially opened to the public the second week of June 2023.
Antonia’s is a 100% old-school family restaurant. Tucker emphasizes that his children, Toni (now 3.5 years old) and Cash (8 months old), will often be around the restaurant. He says, “I tell all the staff members up front that my kids are going to be in the restaurant. I understand that it can add a wrinkle to the workflow, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The family atmosphere is an essential part of their business.
What’s The Process For Ordering Pizza?
In the beginning, the ordering process was straightforward—customers would call to place an order and staff would provide them with a pickup time. As word spread and demand increased, they started selling out quickly. People then realized they could call in advance to get their orders in for the day. Tucker and Gina decided to begin taking day-of orders at 11 am and will take advance orders for folks ordering 5 or more pies. They also have slices available for walk-ins. To keep up with demand, Tucker expanded operations by adding larger coolers, more ovens, and double the mixers, allowing Antonia’s to increase their production from 60 pies a day up to 150 each day.
Tucker is determined to maintain quality over quantity. He says, “I feel people’s frustration. We run a tight team—our high school kids are killing it. We have 10-12 people on staff, and we are hustling. Everyone’s getting their hands dirty.” Tucker knew from the beginning that getting the product right from the start was a priority. He says, “In Philly, pizza is good everywhere. People care so much about the pizza culture and have an opinion about it. From the very beginning, I said, ‘Scale up as much as possible while keeping the product the same.’”
New Additions at Antonia’s
Antonia’s is preparing to open the back dining room and Tucker is eager to offer customers a space to sit down and enjoy their pizza hot and fresh out of the oven. The space has been revamped with new carpet, and the original Gran Sasso bar remains in place. The restaurant will be BYOB with seating for 45, creating a cozy and inviting family-friendly atmosphere complete with an arcade corner!
The front herb garden adds a charming touch to the pizza shop in the summer months. Customers are welcome to pick fresh basil and peppers to add to their pies. Tucker has become good friends with Tim, the local tomato farmer from Happy Cat Farm, who he calls the “Tomato Messiah.”
In warmer months, Antonia’s will also offer soft-serve chocolate and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Additionally, Tucker is excited to expand the outdoor dining options with picnic tables down by the creek, where families can enjoy their meal in an outdoor setting.
Building Community Connections
Tucker is passionate about Kennett Square and the sense of community. “If you live here, you live here because you want to. You meet a lot of other people who want to be here. It’s just a cool community. Kennett is different than it was before; it’s at a different stage. People want to be involved,” he says.
Tucker is also getting ready to kick off a new meet-up called, “Land Cruisers & Coffee,” which will take place in the parking lot of Antonia’s. The first event will be on April 13th from 9:00 – 11:00 am. This is a nod to his love for vintage Toyota’s and is sure to be a great way for locals to connect. It’s just one example of Tucker’s commitment to fostering community.
Antonia’s is a place where family, food, and community come together. Be sure to keep an eye on their social media for updates on pizza specials, events, and more!
