Pizzeria Paradiso Closes In Alexandria With Farewell Event

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Pizzeria Paradiso permanently closed its Old Town Alexandria location this fall, but it won't leave without a farewell event.

A farewell walk-by event is planned in front of the 124 King Street location on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. Pizza, T-shirts and other Pizzeria Paradiso souvenirs will be handed out while supplies last.

The Old Town Alexandria location is no longer listed on Pizzeria Paradiso's website. The pizzeria has locations open in DC's Dupont Circle, Spring Valley and Georgetown as well as Hyattsville, Maryland. Owner and founder Ruth Gresser first opened the Old Town location in 2010. WTOP first reported the closing was related to "unsuccessful lease negotiations."

"We are incredibly thankful for our loyal customers and will greatly miss being a permanent part of the Alexandria community," reads a Facebook post from Pizzeria Paradiso.

However, the Neapolitan-style pizza won't be leaving the city for good. Pizzeria Paradiso has a semi-permanent partnership with Port City Brewing Company. Pizza nights or DIY Pizzeria Paradiso pizza kits for pickup will be available on a monthly basis at Port City Brewing. Each $25 kit will include all the needed ingredients, detailed instructions from Chef Ruth Gresser, and a Port City six-pack of your choice. Reservations for the first pizza on Oct. 15 will be available one week in advance on the Port City Brewing Company website.

Pizzeria Paradiso has been participating in a number of community initiatives. At the Hyattsville location, Pizzeria Paradiso partnered with Art Works Now to provide pizza every week to families in need. It has also been part of the Real Food for Kids: Chefs Feeding Families, a joint initiative of local restaurants to provide nutritious meals to children in need.

Two upcoming initiatives are Women's Food Fest and Bake the Vote. Women’s Food Fest is a one-week women-owned business initiative with special menus, products, and pricing at 40 women-owned businesses. The week kicked off on Sept. 23 at the 40 businesses, which have collectively committed to donating 100 meals a day to local residents in need. Pizzeria Paradiso's specials at all locations for Women’s Food Fest are two individual pizzas and two appetizers for $35, and two large pizzas and three appetizers for $55.

Pizzeria Paradiso will participate in the nationwide community bake sale, Bake the Vote organized by Bakers Against Racism on Sept. 28. All proceeds from sales of a walnut and orange biscotti at the Paradiso’s Dupont Circle and Spring Valley locations will be donated to Black Voters Matter.