06/28/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 27, 2024
CONTACT: ANTHONY PANZERA
614-205-1926
[email protected]
[COLUMBUS, OHIO] Paul’s Fifth Avenue “Paul’s” {aka Paul’s Pantry} to close after nearly 60 years of business in the Grandview area.
“We’re incredibly proud to have served our customers, seven days a week, for the past 58 years. Now, on to the next adventure – whatever that might be,” said owner Paul Panzera.
Sunday, July 7th, 2024 will be the last day of business for the Grandview-area landmark restaurant. Panzera has been in the current location at 1565 W Fifth Avenue since 1979.
Prior to Paul’s Fifth Avenue spot, Panzera operated various “Paul’s Pantry” restaurants including locations at N. High Street in Worthington, Olentangy River Rd. near North Broadway, Thurber Village, and the original 28-seat location at 1212 W Third Ave just outside of Grandview Heights.
Born in Italy, Paul immigrated to the U.S. at age 7 with his late parents Giovanni and Cleonice Panzera and six other siblings. He immediately started work at Tedeschi’s Italian Bakery - the site that would become his first restaurant in 1966 while he was still in high school. He was drafted for The Vietnam War at age 19, returning back to the business following his service.
During the 1980s Paul’s Fifth Avenue became a popular local family restaurant - an evening destination for his homemade Italian wedding soup, lasagna, specialty veal and chicken dishes, traditional and unique pastas, and a variety of classic Italian-influenced items. A liquor license was added in the early 90s, along with white tablecloths and an expanded menu. Paul’s Catering was also launched and focused on full-service events with wide custom menu offerings.
During the 80s and 90s, Panzera was an active member and former president of the Columbus chapter of the American Culinary Association, an accredited CEC {Certified Executive Chef} and inducted into the AAC {American Academy of Chefs}. He mentored and taught many dozens of aspiring apprentice chefs over the years, consistent with the true leadership values of the culinary industry.
In more recent years, Paul’s adapted to the shifting local market needs, seeing an increased demand for quality full-service breakfast fare. It transformed back to focus on diner-style breakfast & lunch with a unique variety of hearty omelets, fresh-made home fries, “Callahans” and other Paul’s originals - discontinuing the evening menu in a neighborhood that had become saturated with an excess of dinner options.
“I’m forever thankful and incredibly grateful to all of our staff and crew throughout the decades, all of our customers, and to the Grandview community for the support all of these years,” said Panzera, “It is impossible to put hard number on it, but when we estimate, we’ve served something like 7 million meals. As my father would’ve said…..Not too bad!”
