News Summary
Post Office Pies, a cherished pizza restaurant in Mountain Brook, is set to close its doors on June 29, 2024. The spot gained fame after being featured as one of the best pizza places in the U.S. but faced challenges in the evolving restaurant landscape. Co-founder John Hall expresses gratitude for the support as he prepares to shift his focus to a new culinary venture in Washington.
Mountain Brook Says Goodbye to Post Office Pies
In a bittersweet turn of events, Post Office Pies is set to close its doors for the last time at its Mountain Brook location on June 29, 2024. This beloved pizza joint first made a name for itself back on March 13, 2014, after opening in the vibrant Avondale neighborhood. However, after the Avondale location was shut down over a year ago, the Mountain Brook spot has been the last bastion of this famous pizzeria.
A Slice of History
The restaurant wasn’t just popular among locals; it even gained national recognition! It was proudly featured as one of the “22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States” by a prominent publication, marking it as the only pizzeria in Alabama to ever make such a remarkable list. It truly put Mountain Brook on the culinary map!
The brainchild behind Post Office Pies is John Hall, who co-founded the restaurant with the late Mike Wilson and chef Brandon Cain, known for his success with Saw’s Soul Kitchen. Hall described the pizza venture as one of the best decisions he ever made in his life. However, the time has come for him to say goodbye, and it certainly wasn’t an easy choice.
The Trials of Business
Like many small businesses, Post Office Pies faced its share of obstacles. The restaurant’s closure is largely due to challenges in the current business climate for independent operators. The lease in Mountain Brook would have renewed at around $14,000 to $15,000 a month, proving to be a financial hurdle for independent establishments.
John Hall, who moved to the Pacific Northwest back in 2021 to dedicate more time to family, also attributed the decision to the evolving landscape for independent restaurants in Birmingham. It’s no surprise that many local businesses have been navigating tough waters in recent times.
The Restaurant’s Journey
Throughout its existence, Post Office Pies went through its fair share of ups and downs, including surviving a global pandemic that took a toll on the entire restaurant industry. The Mountain Brook location officially opened in 2020, following the closure of its original site, but it quickly became a cherished local eatery, known for offering 12 specialty pizzas alongside a menu packed with appetizers, salads, pastas, and even a build-your-own pizza option. They also showcased a fine selection of local beer, wine, and liquor, operating diligently seven days a week to meet the pizza cravings of the community.
As the final countdown to closure begins, Hall expressed sincere gratitude for the unwavering support from staff, guests, and friends who played a part in making Post Office Pies a beloved place to gather around a good meal.
Moving On
While it may be the end for Post Office Pies in Mountain Brook, it’s not the end for Hall. After the closure, he plans to shift his focus to a new endeavor called Restaurant Lola in Bremerton, Washington. It will be exciting to see what this talented chef, with a remarkable culinary background that includes working at Michelin-starred restaurants, will cook up next.
So mark your calendars for June 29, 2024, and prepare to say farewell to a local gem. As the doors close, the memories of delicious pizzas and good times will remain with everyone who had the pleasure of enjoying what Post Office Pies brought to Mountain Brook. Here’s to the amazing journey of this pizza haven!
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Post Office Pies Closing
- Wikipedia: Pizza
- Bham Now: Post Office Pies Closure
- Google Search: Post Office Pies Mountain Brook
- CBS 42: New York Times Names Post Office Pies
- Google Scholar: Post Office Pies
- Village Living: Best Pizza Places
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pizza
- Tuscaloosa News: Restaurants to Try
- Google News: Post Office Pies
