Edison’s Pizza Kitchen is back on the Tremont map, sliding into the former Lava Lounge spot at 1307 Auburn Ave. After the original storefront shut its doors in 2023, co-owners Donna Grigonis and Evan Bailey wrapped up a major renovation and quietly reopened in December with a soft launch and weekend-first hours. Inside, the familiar, overloaded Cleveland-style pies now share the stage with a full bar wrapped around the old lounge’s signature horseshoe counter.
“This doesn’t feel like my pizza shop; it feels like the community’s pizza shop,” co-owner Donna Grigonis told Cleveland Scene. The outlet reports that the Tremont comeback followed months of repairs and renovations and that the team is easing into things with limited Friday and Saturday service before stretching to fuller hours. Grigonis and Bailey say they are sticking with Edison’s signature recipes while layering in cocktails and small plates for customers who want to linger at the bar or settle in for a sit-down meal.
Menu and signature style
The new location keeps Edison’s firmly in its Cleveland-style lane, with a rolled-edge crust, overloaded toppings, a Parmesan-dusted rim and a side of house honey for dipping, per Edison’s Pizza Kitchen. The site also lists the Tremont space as the brand’s flagship alongside the Lakewood and Ohio City locations and publishes the room’s contact details and hours. Takeout, DoorDash delivery and take-and-bake options continue to run through the company’s other kitchens.
What to order
On the plate, the Tremont flagship leans on Edison’s specialty pies and a tight lineup of shareables. Cleveland Scene sampled options including the Hot Bacon Spinach pizza ($24), a classic pepperoni ($22) and a calzone ($14), plus oven-baked wings ($11), cheesy garlic bread ($8) and a chopped salad ($10). The dining room still channels the Lava Lounge vibe: a large horseshoe bar dominates the floor, and bartenders are pouring straightforward cocktails like a Mezcalito ($13), backed by an Old World-leaning wine program. For now, the menu stays intentionally streamlined while the staff ramps up service and works toward full operating hours.
How the return came together
The revival started with a behind-the-scenes deal. Founders Karl and Beth Nickel sold Edison’s to longtime partners Donna Grigonis and Evan Bailey, with involvement from Mike Beder, who then negotiated the purchase of the Lava Lounge address, according to Cleveland Magazine. While the original Tremont storefront went dark in 2023, Edison’s stayed visible by operating satellite kitchens inside Dave’s Market in Ohio City and Lucky’s Market, which kept the brand in circulation while the flagship was offline. The new owners say they approached renovations with a light touch, aiming to preserve the building’s late-night spirit while reshaping the room into a functional sit-down pizzeria.
Where to find Edison’s
Edison’s Pizza Kitchen’s Tremont flagship sits at 1307 Auburn Ave., and the restaurant’s website lists the phone number as (216) 589-9112 along with current hours and ordering options, per Edison’s Pizza Kitchen. Pies are still available out of the Lakewood and Ohio City kitchens for pickup or delivery. The owners say they plan to move beyond weekend-only evenings as the crew settles into the revamped space and gauges how hungry the neighborhood is for Edison’s return.
