You still have time to say goodbye to a 41-year-old southside pizzeria that closes in June

One of Des Moines’ favorite pizza restaurants with a long history on the southside gets ready to close in June. Owners Alec and Courtney Kennedy announced they were closing Paesano’s Pizza on Facebook.

“Our first priority is our staff, with that being said we will plan to be open through May while they seek new opportunities, but it could be sooner depending on how quickly that happens,” the couple wrote on Facebook.

The Kennedys said the move to close is so they can focus on their two other businesses — CKD Home and Golden Hour.

“We know you’ll have questions and assumptions and lots of things in between,” The couple wrote on Facebook. “But as a family we have decided to close this chapter instead of selling to someone else and we hope you can understand that. It may feel odd to say (or type) but it’s important to us that you know that no one failed us, including ourselves. We are closing a chapter we are ready to close.”

Paesano’s Pizzeria originally opened in 1982 by Bruce and Christy Kennedy down the street from Lincoln High School with a log cabin look on the outside and dark wood and red booths on the inside when it debuted.

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On the menu, thin-crust pizzas including Hawaiian and taco versions, as well as a vegan taco pizza version with Beyond beef crumbles, Violife cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and homemade vegan tortilla chips. Gluten-free and vegetarian options find a home on the menu as well.

The Aunt Angie uses Graziano’s coppacola, fried sweet peppers and meatballs, all topped with egg.

The restaurant also offers panini and pastas — spaghetti and cavatelli — and thin-cut onion rings.

Where to find Paesano’s Pizzeria

Location: 2804 SW Ninth St., Des Moines

Contact: 515-244-1699 or facebook.com/PaesanosPizzeriaDesMoines

Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Paesano's Pizzeria closes after 41 years on the southside of Des Moines