The gay village strip of Church Street has been chaining up over the past few years, adding
Ginger,
Subway and
Hero Burger to its longstanding Starbucks and Timothy's. The most recent addition, due to open this week or next, is the 15th
Pizzaiolo in a space occupied for decades by
Bigliardi's steak house, one of the last pre-gay business to survive on the strip.
"He had a good run," says new Pizzaiolo partner (and co-founder and former co-owner of of
Manchu Wok) Michael Craig, of George Bigliardi. "From what I understand, he was ready to retire."
The new Pizzaiolo will be 2,200 square feet with 15 employees, one of the biggest in the city.
"We like to have three being built at any point in time," Craig says, pointing to another one coming up a few blocks away at Yonge and Wellesley, and another at 588 Danforth.
Founded by Luigi Petrella 10 years ago, Pizzaiolo started licensing its brand three years ago and has since expanded at a rapid pace, and may soon be adding its first location outside of Toronto, on Oakville.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Michael Craig, Pizzaiolo