If you ask George Halpern what shaped him most, he points to his marriage without hesitation. George met his wife, Christina, in high school in 2002, and the two have built everything together since then. They married young, grew up together, raised five children and poured nearly two decades of hard work into Pizzamore, the Mount Dora restaurant they co-own.

“I am who I am today because of her unwavering love and support,” he says of Christina.

George started at the bottom of the hospitality industry and worked his way up through long shifts and late nights.

“There’s no better teacher than experience,” he says.

That foundation guides how he leads his staff today. Respect is non-negotiable. He makes it a point to speak with every employee during their shift and thank them before they leave.

“A little gratitude goes a long way,” he says.

Over 17 years in business, he has trained and mentored countless young adults, many of whom remember him for believing in them when they needed it most.

Owning a restaurant is demanding but the reward is worth every sacrifice for George. Being part of people’s milestones, feeding families and hearing a guest say, “That was the best ever,” still fuels him.

“Those moments remind me why we do this,” he says.

The loss of his mother after a long battle with cancer in 2020 changed how he lives. George learned to stop waiting for the right time to enjoy life.

“Now we take more trips, say yes more and celebrate everything,” he says. “My mom taught me to live a little louder and love a little harder.”

His five children are the heart of his life. They motivate every decision he makes and remind him daily that his greatest accomplishment isn’t the restaurant he built, but the family he and Christina have raised.

 “At the end of the day, it’s all for them,” he says.