Iowa Pizza Institution Announces It Will Close After 41 Years

Very few restaurants are lucky enough to stand the test of time, surviving year after year, let alone decade after decade. However, that's exactly what this one has done and one family name has been behind all of its 41 years in business.

The Kennedy family has owned a popular central Iowa pizza place since 1982 and the owners have decided to close. They're doing it because they want to not because they have to, and their reason is a great one.

Paesano's Pizzeria first opened its doors in 1982. Christy and Bruce Kennedy were the original owners and the Kennedy name has been a constant through the years of what the Des Moines Register calls "one of Des Moines' favorite pizza restaurants."

Taco pizza, Paesano's Pizzeria

Alec and Courtney Kennedy have owned Paesano's Pizzeria for the last six years and on Saturday night, May 6, they revealed plans to soon close the capital city staple. They said in the announcement,

"In the past 6 years so much has happened, the most important of them being us becoming parents. With our son starting school, (and) becoming involved in activities, we’ve known we don’t want to miss a minute of it. So we will be focusing on our other two businesses that also bring us so much joy and incidentally a bit more of a regular day to day life."

While the Kennedys prepare to focus on their other two businesses CKD Home (vintage shop) and Golden Hour (luxury home fragrances), Paesano's Pizzeria isn't closing immediately. They plan to stay open through the month of May in order for their staff to find new job opportunities. That gives everyone several weeks to get (at least) one more pizza.

It's not exclusively pizza at Paesano's Pizzeria. They also have salads, pasta, and paninis. Located at 2804 SW 9th St. in Des Moines, Paesano's is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Vegan Pie with light cheese, Paesano's Pizzeria

In their closing announcement, the Kennedys reminded everyone to "be kind to each other, to support small businesses (!!) and to always have an extra slice of pizza because you deserve it."

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