VILLAGE TRATTORIA FREE PIZZA GIVEAWAY DRAWS CROWDS, HAPPY 25TH

If Village Trattoria seemed busier than usual Monday night it was probably all of the free pizza.

Owner Mary Marano Vayas celebrated the Maplewood Village mainstay's 25th anniversary on Inwood Place with a free cheese pizza giveaway from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The pizzeria's Facebook page hinted at something big all day, then sprung the surprise at 4 p.m. After that, crowds were jamming into the doorway to await their complimentary pies.

Vayas said the Italian eatery, which opened its doors back in 1992, had lost count as of 6:45 p.m., but estimated well more than 100 freebies had been given away.

Here's wishing them another 25 years, and more!