A Detroit pizzeria was forced to temporarily close after a weekend of severe vandalism.
Marcus Jones, who co-owns Detroit Pizza Bar with a partner, opened the restaurant two years ago in Detroit’s Livernois-Six Mile (Live6) neighborhood. The establishment has become a notable dining spot in the area.
Jones described the vandalism as premeditated. “The perpetrators wore masks and arrived with bags of rocks. They deliberately stopped in front of our restaurant, threw rocks at the building, and then left,” he said.
The attack resulted in broken windows, scattered glass, and substantial damage, estimated in the thousands of dollars.
Jones, who was on vacation abroad, learned of the incident via video sent to his phone. His pizzeria was closed for the Labor Day weekend to give staff a break, a decision he said was exploited by the vandals.
“We don’t close often, but I wanted to give my employees some time off this weekend. Unfortunately, someone took advantage of our absence,” Jones added.
The pizzeria serves as more than just a dining spot; it is a community center for workshops and meetings. Despite the setback, Jones remains committed to the restaurant’s role in the neighborhood.
“We started Detroit Pizza Bar to be a cornerstone of the community, and we intend to continue as a safe and welcoming place,” he stated.
The Detroit Police Department is investigating the incident and searching for the suspects. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.