Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
After 26 years on Avenue B, Gruppo is heading to a new home.
Owner Antonio Gomez said the thin-crust pizza specialists are relocating and merging with their sister restaurant, Spunto.
The combined restaurant will reopen at 261 Bowery, between Houston and Stanton, bringing the two brands under one roof.
"We'll have the same food, same vibe — just a new location," Gomez said.
Gruppo's lease on Avenue B and Spunto's lease on Carmine Street both recently ended, prompting the consolidation. The current Avenue B location is expected to close on March 21, with an immediate reopening planned at the Bowery space.
Manager Rita Dell'Aquila says the Gruppo name will be folded into Spunto, which holds the liquor license. The new restaurant will offer an expanded but familiar menu, a full bar, and the same delivery zone—an important part of the restaurant's business. The Bowery location will also accommodate larger groups and offer more flexible seating.
Staffers at Gruppo will remain employed. Dell'Aquila said, "Everyone has been accommodated in the restructuring."
Gruppo first opened at 186 Avenue B in 1999 before later moving to 98 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
Gomez said the team plans to host a series of events and gatherings in the coming weeks so neighbors can pay homage to the Avenue B space before the move.
"We're looking forward to celebrating with everybody," he said.
H/T Salim!
6 comments:
I'll definitely miss Gruppo being just down the street on Avenue B but will be making the trek to the new digs on Bowery- great pizza, great staff.
There is something really comforting about the Avenue B space and I'm going to miss it. But it's great that they're still in the neighborhood and didn't have to let go of any employees! I look forward to seeing what the space looks like on the Bowery, best of luck to the team!
Bummer. This was such a comforting space evocative of an earlier 00s-ish NYC era and I'm going to miss it. It seemed to be aimed at families and communities rather than rich young kids being bankrolled to afford their apartments and I hope whatever takes its place continues to focus on the community rather than the low-hanging cash.
I've been remissed in not trying them and I KNOW I won't travel for their pizza. But I will sample before they move. Sometimes you just take for granted places that are there a long time, always will be.
Man. I remember when they opened!! Can’t believe it’s been 26 years !!!!
Anyone else remember the original Gruppo farther north on B. It had a great jukebox.And there’s a painting of a young handsome man - one of the owners who died young - that’s at the entrance of the “ new” Gruppo.
Post a Comment