Marco Luciani
Co-Founder & Head Pizzaiolo
Born in Naples, Marco trained in his grandmother's kitchen before immigrating to Minnesota. He stretches every dough by hand and believes perfection is in the details.
20+
Years of Craft
50k
Pizzas Served
18+
Menu Items
4.9
Average Rating
How It All Began
A Family Recipe
Became a Community Icon
It started in a modest home kitchen in Roseville, Minnesota, with a well-worn notebook of family recipes and an unshakeable belief that great pizza could change someone's day.
Founders Marco and Elena Luciani immigrated from Naples, Italy, bringing with them generations of pizza-making tradition. In 2003, they opened the first Pizza luce location on Snelling Avenue — a tiny counter with four tables and a wood-fired oven they imported themselves.
"We didn't open a restaurant. We opened our kitchen to the neighborhood."
— Marco Luciani, Co-Founder
— Marco Luciani, Co-Founder
Word spread quickly. Lines formed before the sign was even up. Within two years, Pizza luce had become the heartbeat of the Roseville dining scene — not just for the pizza, but for the warmth, the community, and the unwavering commitment to quality that every single pie represents.
Today, two decades on, we still use the same dough recipe from that worn notebook. Some things are too good to change.
Why We Exist
Our Mission & Commitments
Everything we do flows from a single belief: that food made with real ingredients and genuine care makes people feel at home.
Fresh Ingredients
We source locally grown produce, premium cheeses, and imported Italian flour — no shortcuts, no compromises, ever.
Handcrafted Daily
Every dough ball is hand-stretched each morning. Every sauce is made from scratch. We believe craft is felt in every bite.
Community First
We are part of Roseville's fabric — sponsoring local events, partnering with schools, and giving back to the neighborhood that built us.
Made with Love
Behind every pizza is a person who genuinely cares. That spirit of love and hospitality is the secret ingredient in everything we serve.
Our Journey
Two Decades of Milestones
2003
The First Oven Lights Up
Marco and Elena Luciani open the original Pizza luce on Snelling Ave N with a 400 sq ft kitchen, four tables, and a vision to bring authentic Neapolitan pizza to Minnesota.
2007
Best Pizza in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine names Pizza luce the region's best artisan pizza. The recognition doubles foot traffic overnight and cements our reputation for quality.
2011
Full Dining Room Expansion
We expand to the adjacent space, adding a full dining room, a dedicated catering kitchen, and our signature open-fire oven visible from every seat in the house.
2016
Delivery & Catering Launch
Pizza luce launches its own delivery service and full-service catering program, bringing handcrafted pizza to homes, offices, weddings, and community gatherings across Roseville and beyond.
2020
Pivoting Through the Pandemic
When dining rooms closed, we pivoted to contactless pick-up, family meal kits, and community support programs — providing over 2,000 free meals to Roseville essential workers.
2024
Franchise Program Launches
Pizza luce opens its franchise program, inviting passionate entrepreneurs to bring our recipes and values to new communities — growing the luce family one neighborhood at a time.
The People Behind the Pizza
Meet Our Team
Our team is our greatest ingredient. Every person who wears the Pizza luce apron shares a passion for food, craft, and community.
Elena Luciani
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Elena is the organizational force behind Pizza luce. A business graduate with a passion for hospitality, she ensures every guest experience is nothing short of exceptional.
James Rivera
Executive Chef
James brings 15 years of culinary expertise to our kitchen. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, he leads menu development and ensures each recipe evolves while staying true to our roots.
Sofia Chen
Customer Experience Manager
Sofia is the smiling face that greets you at the door and the voice behind our glowing reviews. She trains every front-of-house team member with one guiding principle: treat every guest like family.
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
These aren't words on a wall — they're the principles that guide every decision we make, from ingredient sourcing to how we greet you at the door.
01
Integrity in Every Ingredient
We never substitute quality for convenience. If a tomato isn't ripe, we wait. If the mozzarella isn't fresh, we reorder. Our standards are non-negotiable because you deserve the real thing.
02
Respect for Tradition
Neapolitan pizza has a 200-year history. We honor that lineage while embracing creativity — staying true to method, but never afraid to introduce bold new flavors for our adventurous guests.
03
People Over Profit
Our team members receive competitive wages, flexible scheduling, and a workplace that feels like family. Happy people make better pizza — it's that simple.
04
Sustainable Practices
We partner with local farmers, use compostable packaging, and minimize waste through careful inventory management — because a healthy community starts with a healthy planet.
05
Joy in the Ordinary
A great slice of pizza can turn a hard day around. We take that responsibility seriously, and we find joy in the small act of making something delicious for someone who needs it.