Flour cakes the tables and floor. A plastic film is removed to reveal pounds of dough laying on a metal slab, ready to be operated on. Gentle hands tenderly pick up the dough and start kneading it. As it is shaped and formed into the all too familiar shape of pizza, it is tossed into the air, falling gracefully back into the masterful hands. This process is repeated and thus, a pizza is born. With locally grown, fresh toppings and sauce made in house, it is no wonder that the chefs behind the pizza are so passionate about what they do. Little do people know that they way a kitchen works says a tremendous amount about the employees behind that swinging door.

Sidewall Pizza, a local pizza business in downtown Travelers Rest, houses many hard working employees that share one mission: “To be awesome and to make others feel awesome.” The atmosphere of the restaurant is unlike any other. You feel right at home, and that is how the workers want you to feel. As servers and runners bolt around the restaurant, fighting the obstacle course of chairs and tables, noises can be heard from the kitchen. “Down the line! Table eight! Where’s the ranch?”

Every minute spent working in a restaurant is anything but calm. There is so much to be done and time is of the essence. “Everything has urgency. If someone doesn’t see something, then I may catch that,” says Jake Hollingsworth, kitchen manager. He has worked with Sidewall since their opening in January of 2015 along with several other employees. Hollingsworth goes on to say that once in the kitchen, it is all business there. As he puts his long hair into a man bun, he picks up a slab of dough and begins to knead and toss it. "I take throwing dough seriously. There is a beauty in making pizzas or cooking itself. I believe passion is reflected into the food."

That much is obvious. Each employee who works with the pizzas has a unique take on how meals are prepared and that can be tasted in the food. Chris Bocanegra, a local Travelers Rest High School student and employee of Sidewall, says "I love to bake. I always strive to try my hardest and tune out things to focus on the task at hand." All of the hard work and focus going into each pizza is reflected by the smiles on the customers faces.

The tire shop turned pizza place has fought hard to run successfully for almost two years now and has collected quite the crowd. With the combination of a lively atmosphere, determined workers and delectable pizza, it is no wonder that this restaurant has become a treasure to Travelers Rest.