Consistency is the “secret sauce” behind the longtime success of A & A Pagliai’s Pizza, according to its founder, who is still involved in the family business after more than six decades. Armond Pagliai, who turned 90 this year, opened the doors to what was then the Pizza Palace in downtown Iowa City in 1962.

At its current location at 302 E. Bloomington St. since the 1970s, Mr. Pagliai still has the keys. “I come down here during the day and help give them a hand,” he said. “There’s always something to do.” He and his wife, Rene, met in high school in Madrid, Iowa, and have been married more than 65 years, with three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.