Pizza Center Reopens on Walden Street

Story by Marianne Salza

For six decades, the Pizza Center has been an energetic, family-friendly restaurant in a 700-square-foot space shaped like a slice of pizza at 47 Woodside Avenue. On March 24, the Petruccelli Family was elated to re-open the iconic pizzeria adjacent to Ingleside Park. The new space, at 15 Walden Street, is nearly double the size of its original location, at 1300-square-feet.

“I liked the high ceilings, industrial look of the building, and having another restaurant next door. Now we have a beautiful bathroom. The entranceway is completely handicap accessible,” beamed co-owner, Carla Petruccelli-Fay, who had sold pies in that same spot during the holidays when she worked for Muffin Town growing up. “This street has been quiet. It needed life again. Being across from the park is a huge plus.”

The dining area of the Pizza Center can seat up to 30 customers, and is decorated with framed photographs of athletes that Petruccelli-Fay and her late husband, Jimmy, had collected. Soon, she will be hanging family pictures by the doorway, so loved ones will always be near.

Within less than a year of purchasing the Pizza Center in 2018, Petruccelli-Fay endured consecutive hardships with the passing of her husband, Jimmy, and father, Roger. Her mother, Mirella, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Focusing on moving the Pizza Center into the new, modern location motivated the family to continue.

“Since we’ve opened, my nephew has been running the show,” Petruccelli-Fay exclaimed about her 10-year-old nephew, David, whose shirts are always blanched with flour. “He’s phenomenal. David knows how to do the register, line the boxes, write out the deliveries, and how to put the timers on. You should see him in action – he’s impressive.”

The Pizza Center now sells Richardson’s Ice Cream, served in a small or large cup, and cones. The family also offers frappes, mixed in a machine that Petruccelli-Fay acquired from Brown’s Pharmacy, where she had worked as a pharmacist for 26 years, before its closing in June 2019.

“Brown’s was a fixture in the community. It was a local, individually-owned business. This town thrives on that. When the Pizza Center was for sale, I couldn’t let it go,” shared Petruccelli-Fay, whose family is the sixth owner of the Pizza Center. “My husband would have loved this place. He would have been overjoyed. It filled a huge void.”

The Pizza Center has been known for its pizzas, calzones, and chicken wings. Mozzarella sticks, French fries, chicken tenders and nuggets have been added to the menu; but a classic cheese pizza is still Petruccelli-Fay’s favorite. Her brother and co-owner, David, makes the marinara sauce and dough fresh daily.

“All the vegetables are fresh every day. That makes a big difference in the pizza,” said Petruccelli-Fay. “My mother is a phenomenal cook. We’re going to have specials during the week. So far, she has done trays of lasagna. I added truffle grilled cheeses with a slice of tomato or avocado. Nothing here is fried – everything is baked. We’ve also been making pizza bagels, which have been a huge hit.”

The Pizza Center is open Monday-Saturday, 3:30-9:30 p.m., and Sunday 1-8 p.m. The restaurant offers a special Sunday-Thursday: two cheese pizzas for $24. Seniors can receive a 15% discount Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 3-5pm. Orders can be placed by calling (617) 846-9158. Pizza Center t-shirts are available for purchase, as well.

“Just like the old spot, I can see this being here for another 40 years; especially because we’re in a building with good structure,” revealed the life-long Winthrop resident. “Everything is brand new.”