East Coast Pizza Closes In Warren, Transitions To Mobile Oven

WARREN, NJ — The news of East Coast Pizza closing its Warren location is not sad. Instead, Victoria Avila said the news is good for her family who started the business 6 months before the pandemic hit.

The family-run pizzeria, formerly at 41 Mountain Blvd. in Warren, is transitioning to a mobile oven to serve up its wood-fired pizza at private events.

"I think this is a good step for us and we are excited about the future," said Avila.

Avila, her husband Kevin and his parents Jose and Lilia opened the pizzeria together. Jose and Kevin did all of the cooking while Avila handled the front of the house and Lilia helped with deliveries.

Once the pandemic hit, Avila said the community rallied around them.

"We really didn't know what was going to happen with East Coast Pizza with everything shutting down… but the Warren and Watchung communities were absolutely amazing. They were so happy to support us. It was kind of shocking to me the people coming out that wanted to support us in the craziest time in the world," said Avila.

Then Victoria and Kevin got married last year. As newlyweds, working 6 days a week was tough for the couple.

"We talked about what we want life to be together. We want to start a family and both take an active role in starting a family," said Avila.

The couple didn't want to completely walk away from something they created so instead came up with the idea of transitioning to a mobile oven.

"Doing mobile is not as intense and we could still do our service and share our pizza with the woodfired oven," said Avila.

East Coast Pizza is expanding its horizons to serve more of the Somerset County area by catering to events such as birthdays, weddings, church conferences, and more.

Avila says this transition is a "good thing" and what is best for her family.

"We are just as appreciative for the people we have met and hope they continue to support us throughout our next chapter," said Avila.

For more information on East Coast Pizza and how to book them for an event visit instagram.com/eastcoastpizzanj or facebook.com/eastcoastpizzanj or call 908-285-6237 or email ecpizza.nj@gmail.com.

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