The Victory Pig pizza shop is set to close its doors soon, prompting loyal customers to make a final visit. Three college friends from the 1980s organized a trip to the iconic restaurant on Wednesday, the first day it reopened after the closure rumors spread.
Joe Killian, 60, drove two hours from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. John Loyack, 61, traveled from Reading, and Bob Thomas, 61, of Swoyersville, met them there. All three are Wyoming Valley natives and graduated from King’s College in 1985. They arrived thirty minutes before opening and were second in line. The friends ordered 80 slices of the famous pan-fried pizza to share and take home.
“It is legendary. We are stocking up,” Killian said. He noted that his family in New Jersey thought he was “out of his mind” for traveling so far for pizza.
They were wise to arrive early, as many others had the same idea. The restaurant’s parking lot was nearly full by 4:30 p.m. amid speculation of the closing. Vehicles continued to arrive throughout the evening, overwhelming the lone waitress handling the restaurant’s signature curbside service. The dining room has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Richard Ceccoli, the owner of the fourth-generation business, confirmed the closure while quickly preparing pizza orders in the kitchen. “I hate to say it, but we are. It’s in the near future,” Ceccoli stated.
Ceccoli, whose grandparents founded the restaurant in 1942, estimated the final day would be in November or December. However, he could not disclose who is buying the property or what the future plans are.
A real estate listing for the property at 905 Wyoming Ave. indicates it is for sale for $1.2 million, with furniture, fixtures, equipment, and the liquor license available separately. The listing notes that the property is “under contract.”
Victory Pig started as a barbecue restaurant specializing in pork sandwiches when it opened in 1942. According to local lore, the restaurant began selling pizza when Lee Ceccoli brought her Italian immigrant husband four cuts for lunch one day. He sold them for a nickel each, sparking the pizza craze that continues to this day.
“I’m upset because I heard they were closing. I’ve been coming here since the 1950s. Oh my god, I feel sick about it,” said Jeanne Gosarty, 84, of West Wyoming. She reminisced about dining at the restaurant after graduating from Swoyersville High School in 1958.
Gosarty hugged server Tara Consoli, who was busy taking orders in the parking lot. “I don’t want you to close,” she said.
Victory Pig has maintained its 1950s-era curbside service, which is rare these days. Signs on both sides of the building read, “Blow horn and blink lights” for service.
Consoli noted that the crew was not prepared for the overwhelming business on a Wednesday night. “We were not expecting this,” she said.
Ken Hetro, 71, of Wilkes-Barre, was first in line on Wednesday. “I’ve been eating here all my life,” he said, expressing his surprise at the closure news.
Mark Wilde, 69, of Hunlock Creek, and his wife, Linda, 60, waited for curbside service and felt it was worth it for possibly the last time. “I’m trying to talk her out of it, but we like the pizza,” Mark said. “We’ve been married 40 years but we’ve been coming here longer than that.”
Cindy Kluk, 56, of West Wyoming, wanted to experience Victory Pig one last time. “I’ve been hearing stories about my parents coming here since way back when. I’ve been coming here all my life,” she said. “It’s so sad to see it go.”
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