After decades with Gino’s on the corner, Willis Avenue in Williston Park has a new name over the door. Enzo’s Pizzeria has quietly taken over the former Gino’s storefront and is in soft-launch mode, serving a pared-down menu while renovations wrap up. A full grand opening is slated for May 21, turning the page on one village staple and opening another chapter on the main strip.
Handoff after 47 years
Patch reported that Gino’s closed on Feb. 22 after nearly 47 years in business and that the Speciale family sold the longtime spot to Enzo’s of Garden City. In a farewell note, the family said they were “proud to pass the torch,” according to The Williston Post. The closure and sale were also covered by the Long Island Press, underscoring how big a change this is for the neighborhood.
Soft launch, small menu and May 21 opening
Enzo’s is currently in a soft opening, offering a limited menu while the team gears up for the full May 21 debut, according to News 12 New York. The Williston Park shop is run by the same operator behind the existing Enzo’s location in Garden City at 52 New Hyde Park Road, per Enzo’s Pizzeria website.
What neighbors should expect
Owners say some of Gino’s most familiar items will stay on the menu. Patch reported that the new operators have promised to keep the Sicilian pie that regulars loved. For residents who grew up with Gino’s on the block, the change is a bittersweet swap, with new ovens and a new name aiming to serve the same community and the same style of slice the corner has been known for, as neighborhood coverage has noted.
