MAHWAH, NJ — An Italian restaurant near the New Jersey/New York line that was forced to close after a fire last fall has reopened with renovations, the owner said Wednesday — but they’re keeping the $13.99 take-out pizza deal.
A short Facebook message on Tuesday, posted by Novino restaurant, told customers, “Finally! Thank you for all the phone calls and support! Our team is looking forward to seeing and serving you!”
George Jamieson of Mahwah, who owns the eatery with wife Renee, told Patch on Wednesday that they reopened at 11 a.m. and are back to serving, catering, and providing takeout.
In fact, he said, they’ll cater for 180 people on Friday. “The customers couldn’t wait for us to get back!” he said.
Jamieson, who grew up in Rockland County, NY, said the menu is just as extensive as before.
The spot, located on Route 202, served up everything from wood-fired pizza to Italian favorites such as shrimp scampi and pasta with Sunday gravy.
“A few additions,” he said, “but pretty much the same. We kept the $13.99 pizza to go. Everyone else [charges] $20. I grew up on pizza being the affordable meal.”
He encouraged customers to come back in. “It was a total renovation of the interior,” he said.
Novino, incidentally, is the name of his wife’s maternal grandmother.
“I said for years that it would be a great name for a BYOB restaurant,” he said.
The eatery had suffered a kitchen fire in the wee hours of Oct. 2, forcing it to shut.
The owners then started a GoFundMe fundraiser for some of the staff who were out of work.
“Many of our adult staff — pizza makers, chefs, prep staff, servers, are sole providers,” they wrote last year, “many living paycheck to paycheck to provide security for their families.”
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They raised more than $12,000 before pausing the effort.
Customers responding to a Facebook post about the reopening this week said they were excited.
“See you soon!” wrote one fan. “Go easy on the staff peeps, and tip well!
After the blaze last year, Mahwah’s Fire Department reminded residents to make sure their smoke detectors and fire alarms were working.
Novino is located on Route 202 in Mahwah. READ MORE: Family-Owned Pizzeria Closes After Fire
Dining and Cooking