Miami's Best Pizza Is Closing Its Doors
CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) -- After 44 years in business, Miami's Best Pizza is closing its doors.
The restaurants manager confirmed that the landlord rented the property to a higher bidder.
The family-owned pizza joint opened in the Coral Gables location in 1970. The shop started as a Little Caesars franchise and after two decades, the restaurants owner, "Big" Al Papich--a former University of Miami football player-- passed it down to his son Ray and his business partner Charles Butler.
Click here to watch Gaby Fleischman's report.
"Like the name says, they have the best pizza in town," said longtime customer Joseph Garcia. "I've been coming here since 1973. They're terrific. It's always fresh, always good. I know the kids are going to miss them. The University of Miami kids come here a lot."
A manager said the property has been reneged out to someone unknown for a much higher price than Miami's Best was paying.
"The rent in this area is really high. That's one of the results of the economy getting better," said Sephen Vlaun, the owner of a neighboring business Closet Factor. "More demand to be on US-1 so unfortunately for some businesses, it's worth it to be here and for some it's just not."
The restaurants lease is up in November and it's unclear what day they will shut down. A decision has also not been made in regards to if or where they will reopen in a new location.
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