Emotions were running high on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park on Wednesday as residents said their goodbyes to Johnny’s Pizzeria, a local gem.
The pizzeria has been serving the community piping-hot pies for 56 years. They learned last Thursday that the business would be closing.
"You know we just about hit 56 years and it's time to start a new chapter,” said owner John Miniaci, who says one of his partners had a mild stroke, causing him to think about a pizzeria-less future. “I want to have fun I want to wake up in the morning and say I don't have to run to the pizzeria I want to relax a little bit."
Johnny’s Pizzeria was open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The community came out in droves to give the neighborhood staple their flowers.
"I was born and raised on 58th between Third and Fourth avenues, down the block and this was our regular pizzeria. We would come with friends, chit chat, catch up on news on the neighborhood,” said Brooklyn native Tony Lopez. “It's going to be a tremendous loss."