After just 10 months in business, Black Market Pizza opened a location in Nevada, and according to Frank Freeman, manager of the Nevada restaurant, the shop already has regulars.

“We’ve got these two guys that come in every day,” Freeman said.

It’s a quick turnaround— just like the new restaurant location that recently popped up.

“One day Frank sent me an e-mail from Craigslist that said that they had an empty deli, and the very next day we met with them,” said Greg Harvey, who co-owns Black Market Pizza with two partners.

“It was just a golden opportunity. It was less than a week before we were up and running,” Harvey said.

The company was founded in March by three laid-off workers: Harvey, Jimmy Wilson and Rick Van Voorhis.

Harvey has been making and marketing pizzas as a hobby for years.

“It’s the only thing I’ve dreamed about since I was 18 or 19 years old was opening my own pizza shop.” Harvey said.

Now he has the opportunity to do more than pizza, too.

Since the Nevada location has a flat-top grill and a fryer, it will offer an expanded menu including cheeseburgers, french fries and Italian beef sandwiches.

Some of these items may show up in the Ames location, too, if they prove popular.

“If we see a demand, it’ll definitely backtrack its way to Ames,” Harvey said.

Pizza is moving the opposite direction.

Currently select styles of crust are prepared in Ames and driven to Nevada.

“As soon as we get a big pizza oven over there like we have here, we’ll be able to offer all of our Chicago and deep-dish items as well,” Harvey said.

In addition, it’s a different business environment. The Nevada location doesn’t have as much room for sit-down dining. And the population of the small town doesn’t fluctuate as much as Ames’ population.

“Here we’re affected by the attendance of the college quite a bit,” Harvey said. “We hope to see less of that there.”

As for the future, Harvey has much more in store for Black Market Pizza.

“Ankeny’s where we’re aiming for next,” Harvey said. “We were actually aiming for Ankeny this time, but the opportunity in Nevada presented itself and it was just such a nice chance for us.”

Ultimately, once the company has several successful restaurants, Harvey said he hopes to franchise the concept.

And it’s not marketing or advertising that will get them there, Harvey said, it’s quality and service.

“Our reputation is beginning to precede us,” Harvey said.

“I can inundate you with million dollar television ads, but the bottom line is you don’t need to see my logo in the newspaper or see my TV commercial, you need to put my pizza in your mouth — and that’s what gets people back here,” Harvey continued.

Black Market Pizza in Nevada is located at 1800 S. B Ave., and will begin delivery service in March.