Strafford restaurant changes ownership

A 5-year-old restaurant in Strafford has changed ownership for the second time.

Juan and Rebecca Ochoa sold Fat Cat Pizza Co. to Mike Heslin on Oct. 16, said Rebecca Ochoa. She declined to disclose the purchase price.

"I'm excited to be moving on to new things and hopefully a slower pace of life," Ochoa said via email. "We built the business through grass-roots marketing and old-fashioned relationship building in the community. I'm proud of what we accomplished and hope it will continue to grow and thrive through Mike."

Heslin was involved in the ownership of Big Whiskey's until selling his stake in 2020, said Ochoa. Heslin also has past experience with English Apparel & Promotional Materials and Whole Hog Cafe, according to past reporting.

Ochoa said she and her husband in mid-2019 purchased Fat Cat Pizza Co. from Tom Muetzel, a restaurateur who opened the business in October 2018.

Fat Cat Pizza Co., which operates at 204 S. Highway 125 in Strafford, serves a variety of specialty and build-your-own pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, pasta and salad, according to its website.