Damenzo’s Pizza at 7300 Roosevelt Rd. has closed. Owner Damiano Mannino, who opened in Forest Park 11 years ago, has decided to focus on his other locations, said Joseph DiGivani, manager of the Bridgeport Damenzo’s restaurant.
“We’re all sad about it,” said DiGivani. “It’s like losing a child.”
The building is owned by Mannino and is currently on the market with Jameson Commercial Real Estate, listed at $575,000. Jameson business broker and senior associate Mike Costanzo said there has been interest in the location, and two different options are being considered.
First, said Costanzo, is a straight-up sale of the brick and mortar building. But there’s also interest, he said, in a lease of the location. In this case, because Mannino doesn’t want to sell the Damenzo’s brand, he is willing to let someone use the brand for a finite time while an application for change of officer is processed for a new business owner in the space.
This would allow the owner of a new and different restaurant idea to temporarily open as Damenzo’s until the paperwork is complete, at which time the new owner would reopen the business under a new name.
Costanzo said both options are on the table, and there is interest in both. He hinted that the building probably wouldn’t sit vacant for long.
“There’s great parking,” said Costanzo. “It’s a great location for a restaurant.”
