ORMOND BEACH — A popular pizzeria is returning to its Ormond Beach roots by opening a second location in the same shopping center where the business got its start. Pagano’s Pizzeria, which currently has its sole location in South Daytona, has leased a restaurant storefront space in the Rivergate Village Shopping Center, on the corner of Granada Boulevard and Nova Road. The eatery’s first location was in the same shopping center, before it moved south to its current location at 1945 S. Ridgewood Ave. about 11 years ago. “Pagano’s Pizzeria II” will make its home in a 2,450-square-foot unit at the plaza and is expected to be open in about two months. Brothers Rich and Mike Pagano, co-owners of the restaurant, left their original location when they decided to purchase the South Daytona property. “It was a bittersweet thing,” said Rich Pagano. “It was very sad at the time.” But with the economy starting to improve — along with a bit of popular demand — the brothers decided it was high time for a homecoming. “Business has been good. We got a lot of requests from our customers to come back to Ormond,” Rich Pagano said. “The place became available and it’s time to come back home.” The Pagano brothers, originally from Maplewood, N.J., opened their first “New Jersey-style” restaurant in Ormond Beach nearly two decades ago. “When I first opened my pizzeria, it was New York style, New York pizza,” said Rich Pagano. “But I’m not from New York. So we make New Jersey pizza. I’ve never made a New York pizza in my life.” ORMOND BEACH — A popular pizzeria is returning to its Ormond Beach roots by opening a second location in the same shopping center where the business got its start. Pagano’s Pizzeria, which currently has its sole location in South Daytona, has leased a restaurant storefront space in the Rivergate Village Shopping Center, on the corner of Granada Boulevard and Nova Road. The eatery’s first location was in the same shopping center, before it moved south to its current location at 1945 S. Ridgewood Ave. about 11 years ago. “Pagano’s Pizzeria II” will make its home in a 2,450-square-foot unit at the plaza and is expected to be open in about two months. Brothers Rich and Mike Pagano, co-owners of the restaurant, left their original location when they decided to purchase the South Daytona property. “It was a bittersweet thing,” said Rich Pagano. “It was very sad at the time.” But with the economy starting to improve — along with a bit of popular demand — the brothers decided it was high time for a homecoming. “Business has been good. We got a lot of requests from our customers to come back to Ormond,” Rich Pagano said. “The place became available and it’s time to come back home.” The Pagano brothers, originally from Maplewood, N.J., opened their first “New Jersey-style” restaurant in Ormond Beach nearly two decades ago. “When I first opened my pizzeria, it was New York style, New York pizza,” said Rich Pagano. “But I’m not from New York. So we make New Jersey pizza. I’ve never made a New York pizza in my life.” The New Jersey nod is a tribute to the family’s roots. Rich Pagano said the restaurant gives people from New Jersey living in the area a little taste of home, as well. Aside from its food, Pagano’s is also known in the community for its annual Christmas celebration, where the brothers give out $1,000 worth of toys to needy kids. The pizzeria’s radio commercials also feature the voice of actor Johnny Martino, known for his role as Paulie from the movie “The Godfather.” The Rivergate Village Shopping Center is managed by First Capital Property Group of Orlando and is also home to a Big Lots retail store and an Einstein Bros. Bagels restaurant. Rick Fraser, executive director of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, was happy to learn of the Pagano brothers’ plans to add a restaurant in the city where their business began. “When any business opens or reopens in Ormond Beach, we’re thrilled,” he said.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 07:48:03 +0000
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