Shakespeare’s Pizza to return to original downtown location in early August

Shakespeare’s Pizza will soon return to its original location in downtown Columbia.

ABC 17 News checked withmanager Kurt Mirtsching who confirms he plans to have the restaurant return to 225 South Ninth Street in early August.

This comes after the iconic pizza place had to temporarily relocate while developers build anew six-story building at the corner of 9thand Elm.

The new building will include retail on the first floor, office space on the second floor, and 50 apartments above.

The ground floor of the 9thand Elm building will be made up of three separate retail spaces, including the iconic Shakespeare’s Pizza. Shakespeare’s, which has been located at 9thand Elm since 1973, has signed a 50-year lease to keep the restaurant at its original location for generations to come.

Officials say the new Shakespeare’swill be 30 percent larger and will have a similar layout, feel and atmosphere as before. It will also have the same pizza ovens. Some of the newer features include, a larger dining room, a larger bar, and a party room.

The new kitchen will be able to make about 56 large pizza, which is able to feed about 200 plus people.

Shakespeare’s temporary location during construction is right around the corner at 220 South Eighth Street.

Shakespeare’s return is in line with the expected completion date for the new development in mid August. As of now, management says there are no construction delays and the restaurant should open on time.