Beloved Grand Rapids Pizza Restaurant Closing For Good

Grand Rapids is saying goodbye to a popular east side pizza joint.

After 13 years in business, Brick Road Pizza is closing permanently. The Wealthy Street eatery shared the news that this Sunday, January 30, will be their last day in business.

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In a post to Facebook, the owners, the Talbert family, say they are "heartbroken".

Brick Road Pizza opened at 1017 Wealthy St SE in 2007.

The owners say it was a family effort,

Our whole family did a 360 when dad asked to help open a restaurant. Mom found the empty space you know as Brick Road Pizza. We literally built a restaurant from nothing. Our blood, sweat, & tears went into it. As we learned, nothing about the industry is easy. We had many struggles & small victories. We grew and learned exponentially over the years.

They say that in 2019, "We were at the highest point," - business was booming, with lines out the door, and they did everything they could to keep up in their small space.

However, of "All the things on the radar that would potentially bring us down, a pandemic was not on it."

The Talberts tried many things to keep Brick Road Pizza alive during the pandemic, including moving to takeout only when restrictions required it, cutting items from the menu, and expanding with Door Dash. The past few months have been particularly difficult, with the restaurant losing employees and struggling to hire new ones.

They say "as much as we’d like to hang on, emotionally and financially we’re spent."

Brick Road Pizza will be open for takeout only this week Tuesday through Sunday 4p.m. to 9p.m. They thank the community for supporting them through the years:

We’d like to thank each and every one who has stepped through our doors for the last 13 years. We deeply appreciate all the love and kindness all have shown us. Our children who have grown up inside Brick Road. All of our family, whether blood or past employees who remain family. None of this was possible without you and we’ll remember you fondly as we move on to our next chapter in this life.

Brick Road Pizza shares on their website, "We love this earth, we love this community, we love people and we love food!"

It's obvious from the comments on their post to Facebook that that love was reciprocated by the community. Customers are sharing memories and appreciation for the Wealthy St. restaurant and bar, with many noting Brick Road's vegan menu and attention to dietary restrictions.

Jennifer says,

Brick Road was there for me when I went vegan over ten years ago. It was there for us when our daughter was diagnosed with Celiacs. It is a thread woven into literally every celebration dinner our family has had for at least a decade. It’s our happy place and will be missed dearly. Thank you for being there for us, we wish you the very best.

Jill shares,

I am so sad. Our family has been going there since the beginning. It’s the best place to go for all inclusive pizza - you truly served everyone no matter their dietary needs. Everyone could get amazing food, no one had to compromise. I will especially miss the vegetarian chicken bbq pizza. We wish your family the best in whatever comes next. Thank you for an amazing 13 years.

Ken writes,

So sad, I have so many great memories of this place.
Work parties, retirement part, vendor lunches, friend get togethers. I brought all my friends from far and wide to this place and they all loved it. I will truly miss this place.
Good luck to you all.