Bayshore Pizza Open Under New Ownership

Bayshore Pizza, the popular eatery located just north of downtown on Bayshore Boulevard, has reopened under new ownership after being closed for two months. 

Dwayne Wright, a native of Syracuse and co-owner of a residential energy solution company, recently took over the business from former owner Eric Johanson. His good friend and fellow New Yorker Josh Cook is serving as his manager and main chef. 

Despite having no previous restaurant experience, Wright was confident he could be successful because he knew he was inheriting a solid business, thanks to a standard of excellence the previous owner had established. 

“I looked into the reputation of this place before I bought it, and I saw it was good,” Wright said. “Their pizza was very good, so I knew if I could bring in a good pizza guy, I could make it work.” 

That’s where Cook comes in. The Ithaca native, who worked in a handful of his family’s pizza parlors in Manhattan, had been bugging his buddy to open a pizza parlor ever since he moved to Florida seven years ago; finally, he got his wish. 

“I’ve been making pizzas since I was 7," the 34-year-old said. “All my recipes are hundred-year-old family traditions. Everything here is fresh, and it’s consistent. If you’re not consistent, you’re gonna lose.” 

To his credit, Wright understands how valuable his friend's knowledge and talent are to the business.

“I said, 'I’m not buying it unless Josh comes aboard',” he said. 

Aside from redecorating the interior and adding an impressive selection of craft brews, thanks to his friend Rick Clemo from the , Wright didn’t have to make a whole lot of changes to the place. 

That’s because he took over a business he believes just needed a little tweaking, not a wholesale restructuring. He just wants his restaurant to be known as fun and family-friendly, and for having great food. 

“If it wasn’t for him (Eric) and his hard efforts, I wouldn’t have bought the place,” Wright said. “We have to have a good pie because he had a good pie. We don’t have a choice.” 

So far, he says, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

"People are talking about this pizza shop," he said. "They're saying it's good because it is. People will come if it's good food, but you only get one shot."

Bayshore Pizza

Address: 1269 Bayshore Blvd.

Phone: 727-412-8677

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday