The popular family-owned restaurant, Playa Pizza is closing after two and a half years of operations.
Family-owned, New York-style pizza joint Playa Pizza located at 13211 Reams Road, Suite 108, in Windermere, just off of Winter Garden Vineland Rd is closing its doors permanently on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Owned by Stephen Facella and his wife, Playa Pizza, the restaurant opened it's doors on July 3, 2022, becoming a popular choice with Disney cast members, and customers keen to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks with its location opposite the Magic Kingdom’s cast member parking lot, and close to the theme parks fireworks launch site.
The restaurant offered authentic New York style pizzas, made from scratch pastas, American favorites, plus a full bar, live music, and great views of Magic Kingdom fireworks each night!
Playa Pizza announced the news of the closure on social media, with owner Stephen Facella expressing sadness and a deep sense of loss that his business was closing.
The closure has been blamed on an ongoing legal battle and construction issues that has significantly impacted the restaurant’s ability to operate.
Stephen commented, "This decision has not been made lightly, and it comes after an exhausting and relentless legal battle that has ultimately left us with no choice but to close our doors."
Stephen explained that the restaurant has experienced difficulties from the very beginning, with what should have been a straightforward 90-day interior build-out, taking 18-months, ending in an ongoing legal battle. "This issue — which began before we even opened — has continued to drain our time, resources, and energy, pushing us into a legal battle that is approaching three years, yet seems to be ever-ending."
Throughout all of this, Playa Pizza continued to operate, contributed millions of dollars in sales to the local economy and employing more than 150 individuals, actively pursued employing individuals with disabilities and those representing neurodiverse communities.
Playa will close on New Year's Eve / New Year's Day following the Midnight fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
Stephen commented, "As we prepare for the end of this chapter, we want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you — our loyal customers, our hard-working staff, and our vendor partners — who have all supported us through thick and thin. You have been the heart and soul of Playa Pizza, and it is your unwavering support that has kept us going as long as we have. Saying goodbye is never easy, and we are heartbroken that we couldn’t see Playa Pizza grow and evolve as we had dreamed."
Looking ahead, Stephen is unsure whether there will be a new location. "We have tried for a long time to find a suitable spot but have yet to succeed in securing one. If you know of a location that would welcome us, or are interested in investing in a place of your own in whatever town you may be in, please reach out. We believe we have an amazing brand, superior recipes, and valuable intellectual property, and we would love to see Playa Pizza continue in some form."
The restaurant is selling everything once the doors are closed, with equipment, tables, chairs, lights, etc all for sale. Contact the restaurant directly for details.
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