Papa Gino's Shutters Dozens Of Locations Abruptly: Reports

DEDHAM, MA—Papa Gino's abruptly closed dozens of its pizza shops in New England on Sunday, according to several reports.

Social media and signs on businesses indicated several Massachusetts locations had closed, including Dedham and its Needham Street location, reports WCVB-TV.

A sign posted in the Newton location said, "This location is now closed. Thank you for your patronage."

Dozens of tweets and posts on Facebook reported Papa Gino's locations across the region closed Sunday and the workers were laid off.

The Dedham based pizza chain was founded in 1961 in East Boston, then called Piece O' Pizza. Its name changed in 1968, and its parent company also owns D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches.

According to the Papa Gino's website there are 78 stores across the Commonwealth.

One of the three Brockton locations had closed, according to The Enterprise.

MSN News said that reports from workers across the region shows that as many as 49 may have shut down.

A Patch call to the Waltham location and the Charlestown locations indicated those stores, at least, planned to stay open.

Confirmed closed:

• Papa Gino's on Dartmouth Street in Dartmouth
• Needham Street location in Newton
• 897 North Montello St. Brockton
• Watertown
• Malden

By Sunday afternoon, Papa Gino's official website had 97 locations listed as open.

Patch will update this report.

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