For 40 years, Vennari’s Pizza has remained a staple for Lewisburg residents located right on Market Street and serving the community delicious, homemade pizza, but will soon be leaving its long-held place downtown. The company shared the following message on social media regarding departure: “After 40 amazing years of pizza pies, arcade games in the back, and countless Bucknell University students making memories—Vennari’s Pizza is closing this chapter.”

Just over a week ago, owner Karen Roessler discussed her and her family’s decision to sell the shop in an article for WNEP: “It’s bittersweet, it is. It’s like pulling off a band-aid. I have to do it, and I’m trying to do it in record time, but I’m ok. You have to know when it’s your time to quit. I think that’s important when you’re my age”

Vennari’s Pizza has been a massive part of the Lewisburg community, catering to students from Bucknell over the years, with orders flooding in during Parent’s weekend, and the restaurant serving as a constant and comforting dinner-spot.

Even before attending Bucknell, I had known about Vennari’s from my dad, Lonne, a ’94 Bucknell alum, who consistently spoke highly of the family-owned business. He, alongside several another alumni are certainly disappointed to hear the news of the beloved pizza shop: “Vennari’s was always our go to for pizza. We could always count on them to satisfy our late-night pizza cravings. Their pies had the best crust, hands down.”  

Roessler, referring to her decades of memories and love for the business, remarked in the WNEP article, “although the business is special, it’s the right time to step away and retire.”

This past week, a Vennari’s social media account confirmed they will be passing the business along in April 28. The pizza shop will certainly be missed by its loyal customers from the past four decades, and the town of Lewisburg.