Two Boots Pizza is moving — but staying in the East Village

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Two Boots Pizza will soon have a new home in the East Village.

Owner Phil Hartman said the decades-spanning pizzeria is relocating from its longtime home on the corner of Avenue A and Third Street due to a rent increase he said he can't make work. 

This will be the pizzeria's last month in this space, with a final day expected by the end of May.

"The landlord rejected our final offer this past Friday," Hartman said. "We are moving." 

Hartman said he is eyeing a couple of other East Village storefronts but did not disclose locations. 

"We will still be in the neighborhood," he said. "We will build something great. We're going to build a pizzeria together."

He added that both potential spaces would include beer and wine service, and that he's hoping for community input as plans take shape. 

Hartman noted he has a cordial relationship with the landlord, but the numbers ultimately didn't add up after lease negotiations stalled. 

"Emotions are high," he said, adding that he's trying to adapt as best he can. 

Two Boots — named for the shapes of Italy and Louisiana — got its start in the East Village in 1987, when Hartman, Doris Kornish and developer John Touhey opened the original outpost at 37 Avenue A. A slice shop later opened across the street before moving to the current corner location. 

Known for its Cajun-Italian mashups and offbeat slice names, Two Boots has long been a staple of the neighborhood's pizza scene, with additional locations opening in NYC and beyond over the years. 

Hartman said elements of the current space — including the artwork and mosaics — will move with the pizzeria. The counter is expected to be preserved for a future "Two Boots Museum."

He also expressed particular attachment to the painted windows, which will be recreated in the new space. 

The Avenue A and Third Street space also once housed the Two Boots video store, Den of Cin and the Pioneer Theater, known for its eclectic indie programming. 

A lot of East Village history packed into one corner.