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This 61-Year-Old Pizza Joint Is Closing Up Shop

As the sun sets on Front Street in Grove City, the iconic old sign of Zamarelli’s Pizza Palace will flicker off for the last time this Saturday night, drawing the curtain on a saga that has flavored the lives of its patrons for over six decades.

Since opening its doors in 1963, Zamarelli’s has been more than just a pizza place; it has been a cornerstone of the community, weaving itself into the fabric of countless family traditions and personal memories in central Ohio.

Current and final owners Tina & Jack Middendorf met when they both worked at the shop while in high school. Tina’s father, Andrew Zamarelli, opened the shop back in the early 1960s using recipes that belonged to his mother. She brought them with her when she emigrated to America from Italy.

Nestled at 4011 Front St., this unassuming eatery earned its revered status through the simplicity and authenticity of its Columbus-style pizza, alongside a comforting menu of Italian-style sandwiches and pastas.

The End of an Era

For 61 years, under the steadfast stewardship of the Zamarelli family, this pizza palace has served as the backdrop for innumerable Friday nights, echoing with the laughter of friends and the buzz of families gathering to savor their favorite slices.

Zamarelli’s significance stretches far beyond its culinary offerings. It represents a shared history. For me, it’s the pizza of sleepovers, birthday parties, and warm summer nights that seemed to stretch on forever. It’s the taste that comes to mind when we think of home, of youth, and of simpler times.

As the news of its closing spreads, nostalgia fills the hearts of many. The community is rallying, yearning for one last taste of that cherished pizza. With Zamarelli’s steadfastly remaining a cash-only establishment to the end, and the phone lines jammed by an outpouring of support and orders, securing that final pie is both a challenge and a testament to the deep bond between this pizzeria and its patrons.

Reports of several-hour waits have become common, yet the consensus remains: any wait is a small price to pay for a final piece of nostalgia.

This Saturday, as Zamarelli’s prepares to serve its last pie, it’s not just the end of a business; it’s the closing of a chapter for many in Grove City and beyond.

As we bid farewell to Zamarelli’s Pizza Palace, it’s a poignant reminder of the power of simple pleasures to bind us together, creating a tapestry of shared experiences that, much like the lingering aroma of a freshly baked pizza, remain with us long after the last slice is gone.