Longtime Mulcaster Street pizzeria closing its doors
One of Barrie’s earliest Italian eateries will serve its last pies this September. Pizzeria Italia, a Mulcaster Street fixture that opened in 1966, announced it will close permanently on Sept. 10 after six decades in operation.
The announcement, posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page on Aug. 18 by owner Angelina Genovese, framed the decision as a difficult farewell after generations of service to the local community. The restaurant traces its origins to Antonino “Nino” Barbaro and family, who helped introduce many Barrie residents to traditional Italian dishes including spaghetti and, eventually, a neighbourhood reputation for some of the city’s favourite pizza.
“For six decades we’ve had the incredible privilege of serving our community, welcoming generations of families through our doors and being a small part of so many of your memories,”
Genovese’s message acknowledged the restaurant’s long run and the support it received from customers, neighbours and friends. She added that “every order, visit, conversation, recommendation on our behalf, and every kind word has meant more to our family than you may realize,” calling the decision “the end of an era.”
From sit‑down family restaurant to takeout operation
Pizzeria Italia operated as a sit‑down family restaurant for decades before switching to takeout and delivery only during the COVID‑19 pandemic — a change that the owners maintained through to the present. That shift reflects a trend among many small, family‑run eateries that adapted operations during the pandemic and never fully returned to pre‑pandemic dining models.
Responses from the community began appearing on social media after the announcement. Longtime patrons shared memories of birthdays, regular meals and family traditions centred on the restaurant. One commenter, Mary‑Anne Cancilla, wrote she was sorry to hear the news and described the closure as a “sad chapter ending,” while wishing the Genovese family well.
Local significance and legacy
Pizzeria Italia’s closure marks more than a single business leaving the street. It closes a chapter in Barrie’s culinary history: the restaurant was among the first to introduce Italian fare to city diners and helped spawn a family tradition in local hospitality that later included Nino’s Italian Restaurant on Blake Street.
- Established: 1966
- Primary location: Mulcaster Street, Barrie
- Operation change: Sit‑down to takeout/delivery during COVID‑19
- Final day: Sept. 10
| Year | Milestone |
| 1966 | Restaurant founded by Antonino “Nino” Barbaro and family |
| 2020s | Shifted from sit‑down to takeout and delivery during the pandemic |
| 2026 | Owners announce permanent closure effective Sept. 10 |
For many residents, the news is a reminder of how long‑running family businesses anchor neighbourhoods and create intergenerational memories. The Genovese family’s public thanks highlights the personal relationships built over decades of service — a common thread in Barrie’s older commercial corridors as the city grows and changes.
As the final weeks approach, customers are expected to visit to place final orders, share stories and say goodbye. The closing leaves unanswered questions about the future use of the Mulcaster Street location and whether any successor business will seek to carry on elements of the restaurant’s menu or atmosphere.
Despite the uncertainty, the announcement stands as a public acknowledgment of a long tenure: six decades of feeding Barrie families and contributing to the city’s early Italian culinary scene.
