NORWALK, CT — Travelers along New Canaan Avenue over the weekend may have noticed something new: a sign advertising an upgraded Riko’s Pizza restaurant planned to open soon in Norwalk.
Back in July, the fast-growing pizza franchise famous for its thin crust tavern-style pies announced plans to move and upgrade its current “legacy” takeout-only location from 247 Connecticut Avenue to a new 4,600 square-foot space at 85 New Canaan Avenue.
A sign teasing the opening of the restaurant could be spotted Sunday afternoon hanging on the front of the New Canaan Avenue building, which formerly housed a John’s Best Pizza restaurant.
At the time of the announcement, Riko’s officials said they planned to close the Connecticut Avenue location once the New Canaan Avenue restaurant officially opened in late 2024 or early 2025.
On Monday, a Riko’s spokesperson told Patch the restaurant was “still in the permitting process,” which they expected to receive in the next couple of weeks.
The New Canaan Avenue restaurant would then likely open “about 4-5 months after we receive our building permit,” the spokesperson said.
The current Connecticut Avenue location will close a few days before the new restaurant opens, according to the spokesperson.
“Thirteen years ago, we started as a take out [and] delivery pizzeria,” the spokesperson said to Patch. “Since then, we have transformed into a family restaurant concept with a full bar that does take out and delivery.”
According to the spokesperson, the Connecticut Avenue restaurant was the last take out and delivery location in the company’s system.
“For quite some time we had been searching for a location in Norwalk that suited our needs,” the spokesperson said, “and this new location was the perfect fit.”
See also: Riko’s Pizza To Open New Upgraded Restaurant, Bar In Norwalk
Greater Norwalk Chamber President Shannon O’Toole Giandurco applauded the expansion of Riko’s into the Broad River area of the city and noted Connecticut’s already strong reputation when it comes to pizza.
“As the state is home to iconic pizzerias, some notably in New Haven, there is a strong pizza culture,” Giandurco said to Patch. “Adding a new pizza spot in Norwalk expands our growing food scene and taps into this enthusiasm to attract pizza lovers.”
Founded in 2011, Riko’s previously operated on a mostly takeout-only model. The restaurant franchise has since expanded in a major way and currently operates full restaurants and bars at 10 locations across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Florida, with plans to open in North Carolina and Vermont.
In addition to Norwalk, Riko’s runs Connecticut locations in Darien, Fairfield and two in Stamford.
The company also announced in July plans to open a new Westport restaurant in the near future.
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