Andrea Adelson has a story in this week's Independent on the current trials of Z Pizza's original Laguna Beach locale, the very first in what's grown to be a 100-store chain of deliciousness stretching to countries like Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
Seems the property manager of the Aliso Shopping Center is giving owner Sid Fanarof the boot, so for now, it looks like the store will bake its last Casablanca, Santa Fe and ZBQ pies on April 16, when Fanarof's lease ends.
What would it be replaced with? Possibly a Chase Bank, something not nearly as tasty. From the story:
Sid Fanarof believes Zpizza’s franchise success was baked into its origin in Laguna Beach, catering for 26 years to a clientele of artists, leftover hippies and locals who appreciate the take-out joint’s gourmet entrees, natural ingredients and attention to gluten-free and vegan appetites.
On the first Sunday of the month over the past two years, the restaurant’s managers bake enough pizzas to feed 60 people and drive them to Laguna’s homeless shelter. Included is one special order, a small Berkeley topped with vegetables for a vegan who lacks an address. They get a standing ovation.
A protest petition is being circulated among the shop's loyal customers, reports Adelson.
