Joanne's Gourmet Pizza Of Roslyn Closes After 32 Years: 'So Many Mixed Emotions'

ROSLYN, NY — Joanne's Gourmet Pizza of Roslyn has closed after 32 years of serving pies in Roslyn, as well as Manhasset, Port Washington and other surrounding communities, brothers Rino and Louis DiMaria wrote on Facebook earlier this month.

The brothers wrote the announcement with "so many mixed emotions."

"We would so humbly like to thank each and every one of you that were such an integral part of the time-stamped success of Joanne's!!!" they wrote. "We made so many amazing friends over the years … served so many great people … we watched amazing children that ate our pizza grow into wonderful young adults that would later come in with children of their own to feed. That was as special of a feeling and compliment as we ever got!!!"

Joanne's was located at 1067 Northern Boulevard.

"Joanne’s was so good to our own family and we hope that it was as good to yours!!!" the DiMarias wrote. "We took so much pride in feeding all of you and even more pride in donating to all of the local school events over the years. We have the most amazing memories and we hope that you all do as well!!!"

The closure, the brothers said, is "simply a business decision."

"After so many years we both no longer had the same passion that we had so many years ago as ambitious young men that sought out to change the pizza industry … and change it we did!!! We were the innovators and catalysts of what went on to become a national Gourmet Pizza movement."

Around 15 years ago, the DiMarias purchased the building from their former landlord, they said.

"That in itself was a dream come true for us as we always knew that it would one day allow us to control our own destiny."

The brothers said they are taking control of their destinies by bringing in a national brand company as a tenant that can pay them "far more" in rent than they currently pay themselves.

"It’s better for us as we get to spend our well deserved time with our children, and it’s better for the community to bring in fresh new businesses and faces," Louis and Rino wrote. "What makes a great community is often change, so while this has been such a tremendously tough decision for us, we wish you all the best and again want to thank you for 32 amazing years!!!"

Bella Hadid, a mega-influencer, visited Joanne's Pizza in 2020.

The DiMarias said they truly believe they were the first pizzeria in the United States to make a Buffalo chicken pizza 32 years ago. They asked anyone who could prove them wrong to step forward.

"Now Buffalo Chicken Pizza is seen in the showcases of almost every pizzeria in America and even sold by the nation’s largest pizza companies such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Papa John’s and all the other major pizza companies in the United States," they wrote.

They also claim to be the inventors of BBQ chicken pizza and joked that they should have trademarked "Buffalo Chicken Pizza" and "BBQ Chicken Pizza."

"We would be billionaires by now lolol!!!" they said.

The pizzeria served up a honey dijon pizza that they say inspired Bustah Rhymes to include it in his song, "Turn It Up."

"But we honestly didn’t get into the Pizza business for money… we truly loved all of the experiences of dealing with so many great people and seeing our product make so many people smile!!! Pizza and Puppies are what make children smile!!!"