Three Home Run Inn pizzerias in the Chicago area are permanently shutting their doors this Sunday, affecting locals who patronized their Berwyn, Bronzeville, and Melrose Park establishments. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, these closures come amidst a series of notable business shutdowns in the Bronzeville neighborhood, known historically as the city's "Black Metropolis," including a recent Walgreens and a Walmart last year.
Home Run Inn, a Chicago staple since 1947, has decided to strategically concentrate on its six remaining locations, including the original restaurant in Little Village. "As we look to the future, we are making thoughtful decisions to ensure we continue delivering the best possible experience," Gina Perrino Bolger, chief marketing officer and fourth-generation family member, said in a statement to ABC7 Chicago. The company aims to better focus its efforts on flagship and land-owned locations, to evolve its spaces and menus, and to invest in brand innovation for the years ahead.
For long-time pizza enthusiasts like Billy Torain and his son Daniel, the Bronzeville Home Run Inn represented a slice of comfort food akin to being at home. "Home Run Inn is the only pizza I like to eat here in Chicago," Billy Torain told the Chicago Sun-Times. However, with this location closing, they are now considering Beggar's Pizza in nearby Hyde Park as their alternative go-to spot.
Among the patrons, Williams Johnson, who recently started working security near the Bronzeville Home Run Inn, used to occasionally grab a slice due to its convenience. "It just feels like something you can throw in the oven at home, wait 30 minutes, and watch a movie with," Johnson expressed in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. He wasn't surprised by the pizzeria's closure after having witnessed the neighboring Walgreens close its doors just days before. Johnson's vote for the future of the space is for a newer dining option, suggesting a Raising Cane’s could potentially succeed in the vacated spot.
