A restaurant in Pa.’s ‘Pizza Capital of the World’ may be reopening, nine years after the owner’s murder

OLD FORGE, Pa. — The ovens went cold at Ghigiarelli’s after owner Robert Baron was killed in 2017, and the longtime Main Street restaurant went into a protracted limbo here in the “Pizza Capital of the World.”

There’s arguably a pizza shop on every block in this blue-collar town about 120 miles north of Philadelphia, in Lackawanna County. It’s a place where presidential hopefuls come for photo opportunities, eating a rectangular “cut” of pizza, not a slice, that’s cooked in a “tray,” not a pie. Everyone has their favorites, whether it’s Revello’s or Arcaro & Genell’s, but shop owners see themselves as a collective, not competitors.

Ghigiarelli’s is, perhaps, the progenitor of this uniquely Northeastern Pennsylvania brand of pizza, opening in 1926. According to a recent social media post and a simple sign in the window, hot cuts may soon return.

“Thank you for your continuous support throughout the years, even while we’ve been closed! Keep an eye out for updates on an opening date for take out. We look forward to seeing everyone,” the restaurant’s official Facebook page announced Feb. 13.

It’s unclear who’s behind the reopening. The building remained closed Monday afternoon, with a small sign in the window announcing the reopening. Robert Baron’s widow, Maria, and daughter Brittany did not return requests for comment, and Old Forge Mayor Robert Legg said he didn’t know who was opening Ghigiarelli’s.

“Ghigiarelli’s has been there for years and years, so we’d love all our establishments open. People loved their pizza, and they’re chomping at the bit,” he said. “They are a really nice family, and they suffered a great tragedy.”

Robert Baron’s family purchased Ghigiarelli’s in 1961, keeping the name and the pizza. He grew up in Old Forge, an affable workaholic who poured himself into the restaurant. Baron often slept in the apartment above to meet deliveries.. He was last seen Jan. 25, 2017, when he dropped his son off at his apartment in town at about 11 p.m.

Investigators found blood, a tooth, and cleaning supplies scattered at his pizza shop, the daily delivery of dough still outside. Baron’s car was found about a mile away, by the Lackawanna River, not long after. Investigators found blood inside and out of the car, and, in 2023, discovered his remains in a nearby park. Weeks later, a local man was charged with his murder and later convicted.

When The Inquirer visited Old Forge in 2019, Maria Baron said the family hadn’t decided what to do with Ghigiarelli’s.

“It’s going to be bittersweet, but I don’t think we can sell it,” Maria Baron said at the time. “This is a landmark for over 100 years now.”

On Monday, Angelo Genell, owner of Arcaro & Genell’s, just down the street, said he was happy to hear the news about Ghigiarelli’s reopening.

“It doesn’t erase the tragedy, but it’s nice to see it happening,” he said. “We’re all in this together. There’s no pizza wars here.”