lambretta pizzeria

Toronto pizza joint reopens after landlord agrees to lower rent

A Toronto pizza restaurant reopens Thursday after an about face from the landlord.

Lambretta Pizzeria, at 89 Roncesvalles Avenue, closed May 2 after owner Celina Blanchard was unable to make her full rent.

“I was prepared to walk away from it all,” said Blanchard. She has owned the pizza place for five years.

And that's all folks. Thank you to Roncy! ❤ We can't thank you enough for all the kindness, support and encouragement that we have received during this COVID19 pandemic. Unfortunately, we didn't survive this crisis but we're grateful for the many friends, loyal guests and families that enjoyed many great memories with us. Stay safe and maybe we'll see you again at a different location with a reasonable landlord 🤞🍕❤😘 #lambrettapizzeria #morethanjustpizza #savehospitalityca #RENTRELIEF #RestaurantRelief #covidtoronto @roncesvillage @torontodotcom @restaurantscanada @blogto @citynewstoronto @thetorontostar @torontosunonline @karonliu @globeandmail @fordnationdougford @johntory

A post shared by Lambretta Pizzeria (@lambrettapizzeria) on

But that changed after she heard from customers who wanted to help. They wrote city officials, MPs and send messages to the landlord, she said. She gave them the landlords email and posted it on the window of the restaurant.

“I kept pushing and pushing — I wasn’t going to go down quietly,” said Blanchard. “It worked”

Blanchard told blogTO her landlord reduced the rent by about 30 per cent, knocking $3,500 a month off the regular rent of $12,722.

Lambretta’s landlord, Daniel Pitoscia director of Liberty Atlantic Inc., told blogTO he received Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) and he was able to offer Blanchard the lower rent.

“The government really stepped up,” said Pitoscia.

Pitoscia said he had a number of people contact him about the closure.

“They are very supportive of Lambretta and they wanted her to be in the neighbourhood,” Pitoscia said.

Lambretta opens four evenings a week starting May 28 for takeout and delivery. Blanchard is happy to be back in business.

“I am grateful that everyone did their part and reached out to help us out.”

Lead photo by

nataliesnosh


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Toronto man's side hustle making calzones leads to new restaurant gig

Toronto bakery known for its croissants opening second location

There's a food festival in Toronto for a good cause next month

Ontario restaurant has people obsessing over its fried chicken

Toronto has a new street food market in a surprising location

The history of what was once Toronto's most luxurious restaurant

Thousands of people want to boycott Loblaws stores 'indefinitely'

One of the most anticipated Toronto restaurants of the year is now open