SHELTON – A longtime Stratford pizzeria that graced Barnum Avenue for 76 years is being resurrected in nearby Shelton sometime soon, according to a recent social media post from the owner.
Salerno’s Apizza, which was located in Stratford from 1947 until it closed in 2023, is planning on making a comeback in Shelton, according to Carlo Salerno, the owner. In an Oct. 19 Facebook post, Salerno announced:
“After 76 wonderful years at our original location, we have some exciting news to share!
We are working on moving to a brand new town, Shelton…. getting ready to start a new chapter with all of you,” he wrote. “While we can’t reveal the exact location just yet as we are still negotiating on the exact location, we promise it’s coming soon! Once everything is confirmed, you’ll be the first to know!”
The news was accepted with great fanfare from previous customers.
“This is GREAT NEWS!!!!” wrote Brian Lindwall-Thomas. “Of course, we hoped you would’ve been able to stay somewhere Stratford, but understand you needed to find the right location and a location with lots of parking.”
Another fan was actually in Italy when she read the news.
“I’m walking the streets in Italy and reading this right now and I just gasped with excitement!” wrote Cathy Damato. “My childhood favorite pizza is coming to my current hometown of Shelton.”
Last year, Carlo Salerno announced his intentions to close the pizza parlor after 76 years since he was retiring and the economy at the time made it difficult to stay open.
Located at 1398 Barnum Ave., Salerno’s had been operated by its eponymous family.
“I had planned to close Salerno’s by my 80th birthday this coming July,” he wrote in 2023. “I felt 80 is a good age for me to retire. We have owned and operated Salerno”™s for over 75 years and at this time, it’s become increasingly difficult for me to keep our doors open.”
