Zuppardi’s Apizza Celebrating 90 Years With Anniversary Event

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — Zuppardi’s Apizza is turning 90!

The historic pizzeria, nestled in West Haven’s Union Avenue neighborhood, has been serving New Haven-style apizza, pronounced “abeetz,” since 1934.

The fourth-generation business is one of the oldest family-owned pizzerias in the United States and was recently featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” according to Cheryl Zuppardi Pearce and Lori Zuppardi, sisters and co-owners of Zuppardi’s.

To mark 90 years in business, West Haven’s first family of apizza is hosting an anniversary party that will feature pizza, of course, along with music, Italian ice and more.

Mayor Dorinda Borer as well as many dignitaries and special guests will be in attendance.

The public event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17 at Zuppardi’s, 179 Union Ave. Parking is available at St. Lawrence School, 231 Main St.

A speaking program is slated for 11:15 a.m., and Borer will present the Zuppardi family with a proclamation observing the pizzeria’s anniversary.

Food tour aficionado Colin Caplan, the principal of Taste of New Haven, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which the Zuppardis are calling “a celebration of food, family, legacy, and most importantly, the appreciation of the generations of customers who have kept Zuppardi’s relevant for so long.”

“Join us for an afternoon of celebrations highlighting our customers, our staff, our family business, and most importantly, our pizza!” the family said in a statement.

Zuppardi’s and its rich tradition has grown from a small bakery into a cornerstone pizzeria — and beyond.

In addition to its flagship location in West Haven, the Zuppardi family operates a frozen pizza business that distributes to large retailers and ships nationwide. The Zuppardi’s pizza truck and mobile business has been catering Connecticut pizza connoisseurs for nearly 10 years.

The family also operates satellite locations, including a takeout space in Ansonia.

To commemorate its business milestone, Zuppardi’s will sell 90th anniversary T-shirts for $10 at the event. All proceeds will benefit the Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Hospital.