DETROIT (WWJ) – A longtime favorite in the downtown Detroit food scene, PizzaPapalis in Greektown, is closing for good.
The PizzaPapalis location, one of five in Metro Detroit, has been closed for nearly a year, due to issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Owner Joe Sheena has confirmed the location will not reopen, according to a post on the PizzaPapalis Facebook page.
Sheena said pandemic struggles have led to the restaurant seeing a labor shortage, less lunchtime traffic and dine-in customers, with fewer people working downtown.
PizzaPapalis first opened on Monroe Street in Greektown in 1986, becoming well-known for its deep-dish pizza – both Detroit-style and Chicago-style – over the years. The chain has since opened four other locations in Metro Detroit and one in Toledo, Ohio. All the other locations will remain open.
The owner said the large Greektown location – 10,000 square-feet, with capacity for 400 people – had become too difficult to operate under today’s dining climate, according to the Detroit Free Press.
There will be an online auction of the restaurant’s contents, including pizza prep and work tables, ovens, fryers, ice machines, cheese melters, shelving and other restaurant equipment, according to an auction listing on prabid.com.
The auction will begin with a preview show Monday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and run through 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to the listing. Item pickup will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
The PizzaPapalis location is one of many restaurants to not make it through the struggles of the pandemic. The Free Press reported about 80% of Michigan restaurants surveyed by the National Restaurant Association said they experienced a big drop in indoor dining demand. About 75% of restaurants said business conditions are worse now than they were three months ago.
Related
Related
