Opening of the third Four Star Pizza branch in February.

Amassed outside a former shoe store on Somerset Road, now a brilliant blue, they munched on free pizza slices as Chief Police Commissioner, Mr. Lennett (Lenny) Edwards cut the ribbon and the Rev. Betty Furbert blessed the building.

The Somerset branch, which delivers pizza from Dockyard to the Port Royal gas station, opened for business on Valentine's Day.

"We got the impression that Somerset residents were really impressed and really happy that we're finally here,'' says Somerset manager, Mr. Ed Stenson.

Mr. Stenson, who comes from Pittsburgh, is responsible for introducing a more American style of making and delivering pizzas.

While the system is modeled on Domino's pizzas, Mr. Stenson says Bermudians are more adventurous than their US counterparts.

"Bermudians are a lot more open to trying different things on their pizzas,'' he says. "They especially prefer more vegetables. Bermudians are definitely more health conscious than Americans.

"Our "Veggie'' pizza is the most popular although the "Meat Lovers'' pizza is popular too.'' The "Diet'' pizza was an idea brought in from the United States. At 78 calories a slice it is low in fat and has a thinner crust to regular pizzas, topped with vegetables and parmesan cheese.

The menu features ten specialty pizzas, including a Bermudian pizza with hamburger, onions and extra cheese. Other pizzas range in size from 6'' to 14'' and toppings can be selected at will.

Although Somerset misses out on the busy lunchtime business of the Hamilton branch, Mr. Stenson says it catches up in the evenings and on weekends.

"We've done much better than even we expected as we sell close to the same amount of pizzas as the other branches. People have been waiting for something like this for a long time,'' he says.

Four Star does cater to small birthday parties and sends a birthday certificate to children who want to join its "Birthday Club''. Under 12s can fill out a form and Four Star sends them a birthday "surprise'' free of charge in the month of their birthday.

"We also do a lot of local fairs,'' says Mr. Stenson.

The Somerset branch is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Sundays.

AMERICAN STYLE PIZZA reaches Somerset with the help of manager, Mr. Ed Stenson.