Beloved Pizza Chain Abruptly Closes Every Location After 50 Years
A popular pizza chain has closed all of its locations, but there's new information on what exactly happened.
Gina Maria's Pizza "closed its four locations in October. A recent bankruptcy filing offers clues to the chain's shuttering," according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.According to that site, the filing reveals that the pizza chain had $2.9 million in debts. Northern Brands Inc. — which operated the pizza chain - reported only $64,000 in assets, the Business Journal reported, noting that the closed locations were in Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Edina, and Plymouth, Minnesota.
However, there was good news for one of those locations.
The Gina Maria's Pizza Restaurant in Eden Prairie Has Reopened With the 'Exact Same Recipes'
Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Eden Prairie Local News shared a positive development, writing, "After Gina Maria's closed abruptly, the former manager of the Eden Prairie location quickly stepped up! Pizzas Gina is now open in the same location (7416 Mitchell Road) with a new, family-owned crew and the exact same recipes you love."
When Gina Maria's Pizza closed its doors, the chain posted a statement on its website. "This decision did not come easily," the post reads, according to Fox 9. "We are incredibly grateful for the loyalty, support, and memories we've shared with all of you."
The closures came with "little warning," the television station reported. The location in Edina had previously switched to delivery only and then closed completely, Fox 9 reported.
Immediately, though, hope emerged in Eden Prairie, with a sign quickly appearing on the door that read, "We will be back open with the same great recipes but with a new name as soon as we can, employee-owned," reported Fox 9.
Customers Mourned the Loss of Gina Maria's Pizza Restaurants
The restaurant chain's Facebook page is still active, and customers wrote comments lamenting the closures.
"I’m so bummed. I live a block away from the E.P. store; went there for 25 years. Just love the pepperoni and green olive, best pizza by far now in Richfield...I wonder why they closed. Very bummed," wrote one person.
"Closed. Sad. Easily the BEST pizza anywhere," added another customer. "So sad to hear they are closed," wrote a customer.
People also expressed disappointment on a Reddit thread devoted to the closures. "Geez. This hits. Not THE BEST pizza in town, but consistently reliable. The slice deal for lunch will go down for some of the best quick lunches of my day," a person wrote.
Some people were nostalgic for the chain. "This was my childhood pizza. I loved the NY shake seasoning there," wrote one former customer on Reddit. "This is worst news in twin cities restaurant news in a long time," another person wrote.
But another person shared the good news, at least for one of the locations, writing, "Update! While getting gas at the EP location last night, I noticed the Open sign was on. I stepped in and spoke with the new owner. WIthout sharing too much detail, it's an employee (mgr?) who took ownership and have come back as Pizza Gina! I'm going there for lunch today!"