By Al Benson –
Northbrook-based Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria opened a new location at 1720 N. Orchard Road in Aurora Tuesday, July 10.
A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with Aurora officials Friday, July 13.
It is the company’s 52nd Chicago area location and 54th overall. There are two locations in Phoenix, Ariz..
Before the cutting, Aurora deputy mayor Chuck Nelson presented Marc Malnati, company owner, with a congratulatory certificate to mark the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Wielding oversized scissors together were Fifth Ward alderman Carl Franco and Lynn Young, Aurora, Malnati’s interim store manager.
Other officials on hand included, Alex Alexandrou, Aurora city government chief management officer; Bill Donnell, Sixth Ward alderman; and Vernon LaVia, who represented State representative Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora.
The pizzeria will offer carryout, delivery, and catering from the storefront.
Lou Malnati’s has hired more than 30 community employees.
“Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria takes pride in the fact that we become engrained in the communities we serve,” Marc Malnati, said.
Aside from serving up their well-known deep dish, Malnati’s will provide fundraising and youth incentive programs to local schools and organizations and will donate gift cards for raffles and fundraising incentives for approved charities.
Malnati’s will be open daily at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday. It will close at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
There has been a member of the Malnati family running the business since it started in 1971.