Local pizza lovers might be in mourning because Tony’s Pizzeria on Front Street has permanently closed its doors.
But former owner Christina Prantera, who still owns the building, reassures residents that a new pizzeria is set to open soon at the location.
“Maybe a lot of people aren't aware of it, but I actually sold the pizzeria back in May 2022,” Prantera explains, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “[The new owner] was renovating, and then he would open for a few weeks, and then he would close again, and it didn't work out for him. But there will be a new pizzeria owner there within the next month.”
Tony's Pizzeria was a family business that Prantera took over from her uncle 14 years ago. She says there were many different reasons to eventually sell the restaurant.
“The main one was just working seven days a week, every single night,” she says. “After 12 years, it takes a toll. Having no evenings or weekends to make plans with family and just spend time at home — that just was a big factor in it.”
Prantera's one regret is that she “didn't really get to say goodbye because it was supposed to be a smooth transition.”
“We had such a good rapport with so many of the Thoroldtonians,” she says. “I had customers come in twice a week and I knew their order off by heart. We were so grateful and thankful for their business. We loved all of them and we loved what we did, but it was this time at that time for us to move on.”
While the curtain has fallen on Tony’s Pizzeria, a new owner is set to open a brand new pizza restaurant in the building.
“He's already started his renovations,” says Prantera. “I believe that he's planning to open in March. I hope he's very successful and I hope he makes good pizza because I miss the pizza.”
As for Prantera, she is happy to come home after a long day at the hospital she works at now, and to just put up her feet for the evening.
“it's just nice to be home at night and spend a lot more time with the family,” she says.
