Local musician Bill Coury, who has played with Visqueen and Thee Sgt. Major III, has opened a new pizza joint in Seward Park: Flying Squirrel Pizza Co. While still working at Starbucks, Coury spent nearly every weekend of 2007 in his kitchen, obsessed with perfecting his pizza recipes. Then he had a moment of clarity on a beach in Mexico. “It was that realization that I don’t really like the cube life and making pizza is killer, so I’m just going to do it!” he remembers. He found his Genesee Street location with the help of some friends, completely remodeled it, and opened at the end of October. “We hit the ground running,” says Coury. “It’s been busy every single night.” Since Flying Squirrel is open seven nights a week, that’s some nonstop hustle. Coury makes his pizzas with many organic ingredients, and uses local suppliers like Bob’s Meats in Columbia City, Stumptown Coffee, and Molly Moon’s ice cream. “I feel good about what I’m putting into people’s stomachs,” he says. Flying Squirrel Pizza Co, 4920 S. Genesee St., 721-7620, www.flyingsquirrelpizza.com. Find restaurant gossip like this plus local food events and great date ideas in our Big Bites e-newsletter, sent out every Tuesday. Sign up here and we promise we won’t send you a bunch of spam.