Pizzarev closes 3 sites in Memphis
A note on the front door announced the closure of the Pizzarev at 6450 Poplar Ave. The note reads: “To our loyal patrons, “We regret to inform you that we have closed our Poplar Avenue location permanently. We have decided to consolidate our operations to continue to uphold the highest level of customer service possible. We truly value your loyalty and ask that you continue crafting with us at our other locations.”
The company has closed all its Memphis locations, including the East Memphis store and two in Cordova, at 765 N. Germantown Parkway and 2825 N. Germantown Parkway. All three closures were announced with similar notes posted on the front doors.
A statement provided to The Commercial Appeal from the Pizzarev corporate office states, “We’d like to thank our loyal guests and amazing team for their support and dedication to Pizzarev in Memphis. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have closed our Wolfchase and Poplar locations.”
According to The Shopping Center Group, the restaurant on Poplar Avenue closed Feb. 1 and the Wolfchase location closed Feb. 5. It is unclear when the third location closed, but it was before the other two closures. The local management for Pizzarev could not be reached for comment.
Calls to the pizza shop’s other Tennessee restaurants in Nashville and Jackson confirmed that those two locations are still open.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2012, Pizzarev is a create-your-own pizza concept, which also featured a “pour your own beer” component.
The chain opened its first Memphis restaurant at 6450 Poplar Ave., next to International Paper headquarters, in January 2017. Two locations on Germantown Parkway soon followed.
The Memphis locations were owned and operated by franchisees Robby Stewart, who lives in the Atlanta area, and Andres Bolivar. The duo lead a company called Tennrev LLC, which opened its first Tennessee Pizzarev in Jackson in June 2017. Stewart and Bolivar also share ownership of Southern Restaurant Holdings LLC, a franchisee of Steak ‘n Shake restaurants.
“From our perspective, it opens up great opportunities for the A sites they are closing. It will be exciting to see new brands come to town,” said Dustin Jones, who works in Landlord Services for The Shopping Center Group. Jones added that he has already received several inquiries about the Poplar Avenue restaurant space.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining Reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.