CLINTON — From leasing to owning, the Nuzzo family made its first major real estate purchase and will be relocating one of its Grand Apizza locations next spring.
After 25 years at 9 East Main Street, the pizzeria’s Clinton location will be moving to the former Comcast building at 21 East Main Street. Michael Nuzzo, who oversees Clinton's operations with his brother, Christopher Nuzzo, said they have been leasing the spaces for their Clinton, Madison and Guilford restaurants, which have won first place in CT Insider’s reader’s Best Of Poll for Best Thin Crust Pizza, and were always looking to own their own property.
“We saw this place for the last 10 years and it was never really for sale,” Michael Nuzzo said. “We would always say, ‘Wow, if this place became available this would make a beautiful restaurant.’ And the opportunity came, and we jumped on it and were fortunate enough to get it.”
The Nuzzo family closed the deal for the property on Feb. 20 for an undisclosed amount, Michael Nuzzo said.
The 3,502-square-foot building with 22-foot vaulted ceilings will allow them to create a new, fully renovated modern space for patrons to enjoy with a full bar and three to four TVs, according to Michael Nuzzo.
“Our Madison location has a bar, and we've always wanted to add one to another location,” he added. “The current Clinton location is an older piece of property and didn't really have the room or the capacity and we can only put so much of our own money into a place we don't own.”
The new space will also include new dining room sets and kitchen equipment that were recently purchased, outdoor seating and more staff and bartenders. The menu will likely be the same, with the addition of a few new twists to their beloved thin crust pizzas and a few added appetizers and entrées, according to Michael Nuzzo.
The full 2,500- to 3,000-square-foot basement in the new building will also help Michael Nuzzo and his wife Daniella Paloneque to run their three pizza trucks, which cater for private events like graduations, weddings, baby showers, engagement parties and more, according to Michael Nuzzo.
“We're still going to be a mom-and-pop pizza place, just in an updated space,” Michael Nuzzo said.
Renovations are set to begin as soon as all the permits are approved, according to Michael Nuzzo. Their goal is to open in the new location in late April or early May of 2026.
“The amount of feedback that we've gotten from the town since we posted the move has been just unbelievable between post on Facebook and customers coming in this weekend saying, ‘oh my God, we're so excited you guys are going to be moving next-door. We're so happy.’ It's a good feeling to have,” Michael Nuzzo said. “All of our staff are excited as well.”
The big purchase and move aren’t the only things being celebrated this year. The Nuzzo family will be celebrating Grand Apizza’s 70th anniversary with a party on March 6 at their Madison location. The first Grand Apizza was opened by Michael Nuzzo’s grandfather, the late Frederick Nuzzo, on March 3, 1955, according to Michael Nuzzo. The former WWII fighter pilot started his journey making pizza in 1948 while working for his brother, Nicholas, who owned Modern Apizza in New Haven, according to the company’s website.
Frederick owned and operated Grand Apizza on Grand Avenue in Fair Haven with his wife, Rosemarie, before selling it in 2006. And though the original New Haven location is no more, the Nuzzo family is trying to carry on Frederick’s legacy with Connecticut locations co-owned by Frederick’s son, Mike Nuzzo, and Mike’s wife, Migdalia Nuzzo. Mike’s daughter Brittany Nuzzo helps run the Madison location, which opened 10 years ago and Mike’s sister Marianne and her husband Lou Rivadeneira run the Guildford location, which opened nine years ago.
“Next week is our 70-year anniversary and it means everything to us,” Michael Nuzzo said. “My grandfather started this business in 1955 and my father took it out to the shoreline and with the help of our family, we believe we brought it to the next level with opening these locations and especially with this new place we're about to open. So, we just hope he's looking down proud of us, of how far we've taken this business and hope he's happy with everything.”
Feb 27, 2025
Ciara Hooks
Staff Writer
Ciara Hooks is a reporter with the Record-Journal. She has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2024. When not working, she can be found trying out the many great restaurants in the state, shopping, listening to music and spending time with family.