This is unfortunate. Parking is a problem for businesses in this area, but I often went to Zapps *instead* of Angelo's because I *could* find parking. Parking at Angelo's is a circus.

Sorry to see Zappitelli's is closing. They do have great food and I love their meatballs. Hope they are able to find a good place in Lakewood.

There are plenty of available spots, please keep looking just to relocate!!!

Since lack of parking is such an oft-cited reason that businesses in Lakewood close, why isn't more done to remedy the problem? If the parking issue isn't adequately addressed, no business will consider a Lakewood location if they know their efforts will be so short-lived.

This is what makes Lakewood pathetic......case in point.....the old CVS on detroit could easily have been bought by the city and they could have put in a munincipal parking lot with some nice green space....this would draw more people to our "downtown" area...doesnt do anything for this business, i know, but it could have been a real good start.......

sad

I think acquiring a few buildings to make room for parking lots...with green space... is the solution. SOMETHING will have to be sacrificed in order to draw businesses to the area. There are certainly enough vacant storefronts whose footprints would allow for pockets of parking scattered around the Detroit and Madison businesses.

Question people. I am thinking of moving to Lakewwod,it looks great,but do you see this happening with more small shop. DAM i can not live some where if there is only big chains like CVS wal mart etc,
pls let me know you overall thoughts on lakewood Pros and Cons
peterbrucephotography@gmail.com

Thanks and sad to see good pizza go away

And as for zappetellis, please do your best to find a new location.
Don't give up.

Please don't leave Lakewood! What will we do without our favorite pizza The Bob?!

looks like you people need to fight to keep it

The first time I met Adam at Zappitelli's Lakewood was on a Monday when the store was closed. He saw my daughters and me lurking around the front door, peering through the window. He was in doing inventory and he invited us in and offered
to fix us a pizza. We asked him to fix us what he liked and he fixed us that as well as a typical pizza (just in case). Adam is the kind of person that represents what makes Lakewood so special and unique. So if you haven't visited, please do so before it is too late!

what a shame.. one of the I only places to find vegan *and* gluten free pizza

I have a great piece of property on madison for sale, I would love someone to buy
5 parcels of land, just ripe to be devolped. corner of Ferndale and Madison
20,000sq ft of space
Mike Fridrich
Fridrich Moving
14221 Madison ave

Very sad to hear the news. I took my niece and nephew there and they loved it...especially the canolli!

What about near the Quaker Steak place on Detroit? Would it be cheap enough to be viable as they have 1 or 2 places vacant (Dots I believe and the Asian place). That would give Zappetellis a downtown presence as well as plenty of parking.

Maybe, just maybe there are too many pizza shops in Lakewood, or, neighbors really don't understand that the parking space in front of their homes do not, I repeat, do not belong to them. I ahve a business close to me that takes up half the street parking 4-5 days a week. Yes sometimes I get mad about it, but take a deep breath and realise "it is what it is", But I would not think of running them out of town on a rail when it is not their fault that the planning commision or buildind dept. allowed them to operate there knowing full well they did not have enought parking on-site. Now, who's fault is it, them or the CITY that ok'd it. Sometimes you need to say NO before they move in.

Who cares? There are plenty of great pizza places in Lakewood and I'm sorry but this is not one. THEIR FOOD IS AWFUL AND OVERPRICED! That's why they are going out of business --stop blaming your failing business on others Adam Carroll. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DON'T OPEN ANOTHER BUSINESS IN LAKEWOOD, because PARKING IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE EVERYWHERE!!!!!!

Yow.....Monica! Maybe pay attention to the real issue, i.e. lack of parking in Lakewood!
And maybe ask your doctor for some Prozac.

Just sayin'......

Zappitelli's closing represents how tough it is for ANY business the 1st year to meet the bottom line. I was wondering if Zappitelli's had a plan for customer parking in their pre-opening/development/business plan. Surely, that had to be considered in start-up thinking, and a solution created/figured out before they opened their doors. Especially in Lakewood's urban/inner city environment - where lack of parking is just a reality of daily living. What was the pre-opening plan for parking? Also, what pre-marketing did Zappitelli's do to create an introduction/ positive PR buzz about this business to the neighhood before it opened? Did they go door-to-door and leave invitational flyers announcing the opening? Did they create events for the community's kids, family night, school night, late snack night, mom and dad night off , etc.? And since opening, how did Zappitelli's adjust/revise its pre-opening BP strategies for success - fine tuning for unanticipated/unplanned impacts on business ? Opening a restaurant is most difficult, and a LOT of community building has to take place before and after. Again, sad to hear another small business is closing, but hopefully, in their next endeavor, a contingency plan for unintended outcomes that could impact your bottom line will be in place before they get the bank loan. With some detailed pre-opening research/neighborhood PR, meeting community/customer's needs, and providing a quality product, success will come the second time around.

How about relocating over to Grace and Detroit by the new Drug Mart? That would help create a small mix of both corporate business and Ma and Pa Shops? And I think that area is going to start to turn around soon. Or another great location would be near the new Helvetica Coffee Shop opening at 117 and Detroit. Also, a super area is by Giant Eagle/Szechuan Garden on Detroit = lots of RTA, foot and car traffic - would be great location for business all day and night. Recently KB Confections opened nearby, and they plan on expanding too. Think location, location, location for your next business.

How Zappitelli's is run is why it's going under.... I've called there a few times and they don't have delivery no reason just "no we don't have delivery today"... also the place is dirty and the service is horrible/slow and they are no Angelo's or Dewey's... you can actually enjoy your meal at those restaurants without being hot and having flies all over you and the price is about the same if not cheaper... I'm not surprised they are closing and I would not like to see them back either they just aren't cut out for business!!!

Sorry to see them leaving. Despite what the other comments have been, I love their pizza, especially Italian Specialty. I also like how friendly they were and of the 8 or 9 times I was in, it was never dirty. As far as the pricing, it is the same as Angelo's, maybe a little less, but more than Little Ceasar's and Giorgio's, but much better pizza. Also drove past La Bella's Cupcakes on Madison, and it is closed. Sullivan's just closed, and a Variety store on Madison has a going out of business sign on its window. It appears either Lakewood, the economy, or both are killing small business. Anytime a business closes, it is sad. Fifteen people now are out of a job. I think I had better hit KB's Bakery before it closes!

wow all these business closing is there something to know before i move into the area ???
peter

How about moving into Maria's Italian Restaurant that closed in 2009 at 11822 Detroit Avenue on the East side near Virginia Marti College. There is parking available in Discount Drug Mart soon to be a Value World if/when DDM builds across Garfield Middle School.

Zappitelli's isn't closing because there of a lack of parking, but we are closing because a neighbor complains that we take up all of the street parking (which is not true) so much that the police are being called on a regular basis. I understand, as I always have of Lakewood, that parking is an issue but walking an extra block is really not that big of a deal for myself or the majority of my customers. We are closing because of the harassment from the neighbor and the lack of assistance from city officials.

Ok, I am sorry to see the store close, but I am also surprised by the part of the article that stated "15-minutes-for-free button has been removed" when did that happen? Why did that happen? I think Lakewood is trying to make it impossible for anyone to park anywhere without getting theirs. Are they going to start charging on Sat also? I will surely start shopping in other localities if that is the case.

Congrats for being voted second favorite Pizza by the readers of the Patch.

Totally untrue John. You must be one of the neighbors who are mad because you can't park in front of your house sometimes. I have never had a problem with Zappetelli's. It is a great pizza and I get it delivered whenever I want.

Laurie I certainly hope you are able to find another location in Lakewood. Have you contacted anybody at city hall? I think Dru Siley is the person to talk to.

Wow John so much hate!
Guess you like commenting to yourself.

Wow I didn't think your name was John. We just always called you mr moda. But next time Jim stops in for a pie I'll send him over to your store so you can give him the story of the century on our excessive meter violations. Maybe it will win him a Pulitzer !!!

Hey John just a FYI: Learn the difference between your and you're. Were'nt is not a word. Also try some punctuation.

Oh it definitely gets the point across, although not the one you are thinking

This John character is making himself sound ridiculous.

Adam/Laurie - please consider the old Red Rooster location on Detroit. Big enough for a kitchen and dining area. Plus you could make an awesome patio out front and still have plenty of room for parking.

pizza bogo is going in to drug mart (old dots) spot. there is always room for good pizza in LW!

Oh but John, your ranting and grammar (or lack thereof), is entertaining. Please let us know where you will go.

What's funny is that "Mr. MODA's" real name is Tim not John so maybe people really just don't like your establishment.... Stop being so cocky and maybe try and fix your failing business.

Glad you think it funny that someone is messing with another persons hard work in starting a new business.
There is nothing like a coward that makes up lies and hides. Stand up like a man.
It is John or who ever they really are, that has been harassing Zappitelli's since May.

Dear Lord, let's just stop this painful banter. Fact - Customers love to order Zappitelli's because it is a wonderful place to order food, with high quality product and people that care to serve it. Another Fact - some people just don't care for it. Enough said. The posts are getting ugly and it is just very uncomfortable for me to read these (they all come through my cell phone too, draining on me AND my cell battery). I don't care what John's real name is, or who is writing these negative statements - nobody knows what happens in someone elses business. I'm truly laughing at the conjuctures of Zappitelli's failures, please let me enlighten you all. Zapp's is strong, Zapp's has a following, Zapp's is just tired of being in this spot. For those of you that enjoy our food and company, please come back, check out our website, get on our e-mail list, stop in and say hi. For those that don't. Um, don't. Enough said. John, Jake - whomever, you are truly defeating your purpose of 'foiling' the Zappitelli reputation by the notes you are posting. I say - WOW, quit while you're behind. Colin - can we please cancel this God awful interaction?

I am with you Laurie,kill it
Peter Bruce Photo

My apologize Laurie I could not just ignore the negative posts. My best to you and Adam.