Iconic Long Island Pizzeria Gino's Closes After Nearly 50 Years

A Half-Century of Pizza Making

• 🍕 Franco Speciali, at 75 years old, is retiring after nearly 50 years of making pizzas at Gino's in Williston Park.
• 🇮🇹 Franco opened Gino's in 1979 shortly after moving to America from Italy, becoming a staple in the community.

A Family Affair

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The pizzeria was not only Franco's workplace but also his two sons' childhood haunt, where they learned the business.
• 📚 Lessons were learned one slice at a time, with memories of making boxes, wiping tables, and napping on flour bags.
• 💔 Neither son chose to take over the family business, leading to the decision to sell the shop.

Community Farewell

• 💔 The community expresses deep sadness over the closure, with many customers having patronized the pizzeria for generations.
• 🤝 Families like the Legox have shared memories and time together at Gino's, making it more than just a place to eat.
• 🍎 Local teachers have made it a tradition to eat lunch there every Friday, though they are happy for the family's next chapter.
• ⏳ Loyal customers recall coming to Gino's for decades, highlighting the long-standing relationships built.

Final Slices and Retirement

• 🗓️ Gino's will serve its last slice on February 22nd, giving customers two weeks to get their final taste.
• 🤔 Franco is contemplating his life after pizza, expressing a desire to "come back young and start all over again."