Tea, antiques, and pipes

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After five years on South University, the New York Pizza Depot moved to a new location on Jackson Road when its lease ran out last month. As of this writing, it wasn't clear whether it would keep the same name or change it to Uncle D's New York Pizza. It depends on whether a franchisee buys it. Maurizio Grillo, who opened the original New York Pizza Depot on William Street with four cousins in 1997, says they're franchising their original concept but under a different name: “We used one of those companies that pick a name for you, and Uncle D's was one of those catchy names they think will work out.” So far they've sold three franchises, and the Jackson Road location may become the fourth.

Grillo and his partners took over the space, formerly Mama Rosa's, from Michael Argiero, who decided to close his year-old Italian restaurant last winter. “He's a friend of ours anyway, so it was a pretty easy and safe and secure transaction,” says Grillo. He's even happier they were able to move the whole operation, employees and all. “We literally trans-ferred all the equipment and all the people to Jackson. We saw a great opportunity not to lay off any people.

New York Pizza Depot, 3901 Jackson Rd. (Jackson Center). 913-5555. Daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m.