Back in February, the longtime owners of Lisa’s Pizza, Gary and Teresa Bongiorno, decided to put the restaurant up for sale.
The choice wasn’t an easy one for the couple, who have been involved in the business, 2961 N. Oakland Ave., since its 196o opening. Not just that, they also met while working there, and have celebrated many an anniversary while tossing pizzas for dinner service.
“It’s just so hard,” Gary told Urban Milwaukee in March. “Neither one of us really want to retire.”
But nine months later, the couple, who co-own the restaurant with Gary’s brother, Scott, are going forward with the sale, as evidenced by an online listing for the business and its building.
The restaurant, which faces Oakland Avenue, is being sold as a package deal along with a three-bedroom apartment located above the business. The sale would also include Lisa’s furniture, fixtures and equipment — including a Blodgett pizza oven — along with the Bongiorno family’s recipes for pizza, pasta, Italian sausage and other specialty items.
The latter is sure to be key for future owners, who will also inherit the restaurant’s title and — with any luck — a long list of regular customers.