After nearly 18 months of slinging slices, the Tony's Famous Pizza has closed at 231 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. A for-rent sign now hangs from the storefront. (Thanks to Pinch for the photo!)
The pizzeria, a sibling to the Tony's at 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, arrived in the summer of 2021.
Tony's took over the storefront from Vinny Vincenz, which quietly closed in April 2021 after 18 years of service.
Regarding the location at 128 2nd avenue, before Tony’s was Nolita Pizza, which was excellent. But their landlord Icon Reality, owned by Terrance Lowenberg, either wouldn’t renew their lease or wanted too much money. Nolita Pizza still has their original location on Kenmare Street, and they deliver to the East Village. Highly recommended. Great pizza!
And what is to happen with the panda place on the corner? will it ever open? landlords suck - - these are the types of places that have prospered in nyc for decades and no can't make it here.
Surprisingly good pizza given the dramatically rising prices of the ingredients. Consistently good, and their eggplant parm hero was also solid - I didn't try anything else.
Vinny Vincenz was great, and despite dollar slice joints opening right next door and across the street, he kept the quality high without trying to compete too directly on the price.
I think what did in both of these places is the general scene around 14th & 1st. From the beginning of the pandemic it became a real shitshow, with homeless people selling crap on all of the sidewalks on all sides of the intersection except Stuy Town (which has a private security force). The sidewalks are often all but impassable, and while I've never felt endangered they can be very intimidating and keep people away. It has to be a particularly difficult environment to attempt to operate a business in.
9 comments:
Famous no more - what is next we wonder ?
Vinny Vincenz was a great place that got ruined by the dollar slice competition
Regarding the location at 128 2nd avenue, before Tony’s was Nolita Pizza, which was excellent. But their landlord Icon Reality, owned by Terrance Lowenberg, either wouldn’t renew their lease or wanted too much money. Nolita Pizza still has their original location on Kenmare Street, and they deliver to the East Village. Highly recommended. Great pizza!
I hope we get another Smoke Shop. We don’t have enough of those in the area.
And what is to happen with the panda place on the corner? will it ever open? landlords suck - - these are the types of places that have prospered in nyc for decades and no can't make it here.
Agreed. I should not have to walk more than 50 to get to one. Lol
The closure is due to the price of cardboard used as the dough rising sharply with inflation.
Surprisingly good pizza given the dramatically rising prices of the ingredients. Consistently good, and their eggplant parm hero was also solid - I didn't try anything else.
Vinny Vincenz was great, and despite dollar slice joints opening right next door and across the street, he kept the quality high without trying to compete too directly on the price.
I think what did in both of these places is the general scene around 14th & 1st. From the beginning of the pandemic it became a real shitshow, with homeless people selling crap on all of the sidewalks on all sides of the intersection except Stuy Town (which has a private security force). The sidewalks are often all but impassable, and while I've never felt endangered they can be very intimidating and keep people away. It has to be a particularly difficult environment to attempt to operate a business in.
Good. We don’t need anymore pizza slice shops. Get me some more diverse, ethnic cuisines
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