Paulie Gee tells us more about his slice shop opening on 1st Avenue in the East Village

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy 

News broke last week that a Paulie Gee's slice shop was in the works at the former Dunkin' space on the NE corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street. 

On Friday, I stopped by the storefront and met Paulie Gee (aka, Paul Giannone, though he said to call him Paulie), who showed me the under-renovation space and answered a few questions about what we can expect here.

For starters, this space will be owned and operated by George Lin (below right).

"This [slice shop] is a franchise, a licensed shop, and it's run by George," Paulie said. "He's worked with me for years. He's the one who found this location and wanted to open the Paulie Gee's slice spot. It's a very visible location, a great block! We're excited." 

For his part, Lin said, "I wanted to open a good pizzeria, and Paulie Gee's is good. After working for him for a while, I told him I wanted to open a shop one day."

"I like hiring people who want to open their own business," Paulie said. "I like the entrepreneurs." 

There is a second foray into the East Village for Paulie Gee's. In December 2023, they were approved for a liquor license for the former Huertas space, a block to the south. But those plans didn't move forward.

"We were working with someone else, a real estate guy," Paulie said. "You know, I want to help people open their own spots, but it didn't work out, and he walked away from the project." 

So the big question — when will Paulie Gee's East Village Slice Shop be ready to serve? 

"Only God knows when the space will open," Paulie said. "We have a spot that's waiting to open in Gowanus. We're just waiting on the gas." 

Luckily, this space's kitchen is all electric, no gas, so the buildout should go much quicker. David Dean, the contractor and president of Precision Innovations, speculates it might even be open in March. 

Paulie explained the kitchen will have two PizzaMaster ovens, one for baking and one for warming/reheating.

Paulie and company are modeling the shop after their original Greenpoint space, which opened in 2010 and became an instant hit. 

"So if you've eaten there, it's a similar motif," Paulie said. "The space will have a retro feel, with black-and-white checkerboard tile floors, wood paneling, and a classic pizza focus. Nothing fancy." 

Expect the usual slices (plus Sicilian) and vegan options. (The vegan Vidalia is a favorite.) Coca-Cola products for now. They will eventually apply for a beer-wine license for anyone to anyone (21+) to enjoy while sitting at one of the four four-tops or the window counter. 

You can keep tabs on this location @pauliegeeseastvillagesliceshop.