TEMPE, AZ — After five years, NYPD Pizza has closed its restaurant in downtown Tempe.
The restaurant was located at the Tempe Gateway building near Third Street and Mill Avenue, across from the light rail platform and near Loco Patron. Its last day was Friday, Sept. 27, according to CEO Nikki West.
In a statement posted at the restaurant and provided to ABC15, West said: "We have loved being a part of the Tempe community and especially part of the lives of all our families that we have come to welcome into our doors routinely. Unfortunately, we were unable to continue operations in this location as it is currently structured."
The closure leaves the Arizona-based New York-style pizza chain with 10 restaurants in the Valley, including two locations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
It also marks the latest business to close on Tempe's Mill Avenue.
Gordon Biersch closed its Tempe location earlier this summer after 20 years. Restaurant Mexico closed in August (Taco Bell is opening one of its boozy cantinas in that space before the end of the year). Hippie Gypsy, a smoke shop and 60s-themed boutique, closed earlier this summer.
The Phoenix New Times reports that BAC Lounge closed in July.
There are a couple openings or soon-to-be-openings to note.
Ted's Refreshments, a new dive bar from Julian Wright, the founder of Pedal Haus Brewery, recently opened near the Hayden Square Amphitheater.
Sunbar, an organic grill, bar, and music venue, is also expected to open sometime this fall near 5th Street and Mill Avenue, according to the business' Facebook page.
Slices on Mill, a pizza concept, underwent new ownership in March. A grand opening has been planned for October. View its Facebook page for more info.
Here is NYPD's full statement:
Dear NYPD Pizza Guests,
It has been our honor and privilege serving you for the past 5 years at our Mill Ave location. It is with a great deal of sadness that we are announcing that this location will close as of 9/27/2019 at 6:00 pm. We have loved being a part of the Tempe community and especially part of the lives of all our families that we have come to welcome into our doors routinely. Unfortunately, we were unable to continue operations in this location as it is currently structured.
We are pleased to let you know that all current staff members have been extended job positions at alternate NYPD Pizza locations, so they will continue to serve you both behind the scenes in the kitchen and in the front of the house. We also hope that you will choose to dine with us at either our 7th Ave location (7th Ave and McDowell) or our Chandler location (Chandler and the 101). We cannot thank you enough for the wonderful memories and privilege of breaking bread with you for all these years and we also thank you for your understanding and your loyalty.
Sincerely,
Nikki West
CEO, NYPD Pizza
