After over 20 years, Central Ohio pizzeria announces closure due to ‘irreconcilable differences’

A long-standing Columbus Italian eatery is closing.

According to a social media post from owner Rita Vaccari Pavuk and the restaurant’s voicemail greeting, Antonio’s Pizzeria, which is located at 7001 Sunbury Rd. STE C in Westerville, will close its doors later this week. 

The business, which has been open since the early 2000s, will shutter after service on July 19.

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“This was something that was not wanted or expected but due to ‘irreconcilable differences’ with the landlord we had to make this very difficult decision,” Pavuk’s post reads.

According to the eatery’s website, Antonio’s was originally started in Uptown Westerville in 1977 by Sam and Frances Giuliani. It was sold to a pizza chain, and eventually they used the same name and recipes to open Antonio’s in 2005, also in Westerville, and with Pavuk and Robert Giuliani as owners. 

The Westerville pizza shop went on to claim numerous awards for its food through the years, including first place at Slice of Columbus in 2011 and top 10 finishes in the North American Pizza Pizazz Competition in 2007-2009.

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