Two pizza shops that were among the first choose-your-own artisanal pizza places in Rochester have closed, at least for now.
Pi Craft Pizza specialized in handmade pizzas that cooked in minutes on a revolving stone in an oven that reached temperatures upwards of 1,000 degrees. It offered many choices of toppings and garnishes, including vegan and gluten-free options. It opened in Henrietta’s Market Commons in 2015. A location in Victor’s Victor Crossing followed in 2018 and closed last year.
Owner Paul Develder says there’s still a ray of hope for the locally owned chain. He said via text that he didn’t own the buildings that housed the restaurants, and the leases became cost prohibitive. He said he’s looking for space where he has more control of property expenses.
“We appreciated the fan base and the long run we had,” he said.
Tracy Schuhmacher is food and drink reporter. Notice a place open or close near you? Email her at TracyS@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Two early choose-your-own artisanal pizza places have closed, at least for now
Reporting by Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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