After over three decades of serving up delectable calzones, pizzas, and wings, Magpies Gourmet Pizza is bidding farewell to its iconic location on Tucson’s historic North Fourth Avenue. The beloved eatery, renowned for its culinary delights and loyal following, will be closing its doors for the final time on Saturday, May 18.
The decision to shutter the Fourth Avenue restaurant comes as the company shifts its focus towards a more takeout and delivery-centric model. According to Jake Roth, operations manager of the small chain, the lease for the Fourth Avenue location was up at the end of the month, prompting the need to make a strategic choice. Roth explained that Magpies is redirecting its efforts to the takeout and delivery format that has proven successful at its two other Tucson locations, located at 6342 N. Oracle Road and 105 S. Houghton Road.
Despite being a full-service restaurant, the downtown location has experienced a significant decline in business post-pandemic. While there was a brief resurgence in dine-in traffic following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, Roth noted that delivery and pickup sales have been more lucrative in recent times. With the expansive size of the downtown location, the decision was made to explore opportunities in a different setting where the business could thrive more effectively.
Looking ahead, owner Allen Ozdemir is hopeful of maintaining Magpies’ longstanding presence in downtown Tucson by seeking a new location near North Fourth Avenue. The closure of Magpies marks a loss for the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, acknowledging the eatery’s integral role in the vibrant dining and entertainment scene of the area. Casey Anderson, executive director of the association, expressed sadness at the change while remaining optimistic about the avenue’s future, emphasizing the potential for new opportunities to emerge in place of the cherished mom-and-pop establishment.