Burnaby is well-served by pizza restaurants, especially those location in the Heights neighbourhood.
But not every neighbourhood is so lucky.
Bainbridge, for example, has few restaurants that are close to them. The excellent Gaya sushi is one of them and, for the past eight years, they have had incredible pizza just steps away with the arrival of the Rolling Dough pizzeria at the corner of Bainbridge and Lougheed Highway.
I have stopped by there many times for a few slices of their pizza, which is baked in a stone-fired oven and topped with fresh ingredients including an amazing sauce.
But now that is all over. The Rolling Dough has announced it is closing forever at the end of February and its legion of customers is very sad.
“It’s a huge loss for the neighbourhood,” said Rick, who contacted the NOW. “The food was great but it was also the people who ran the restaurant. Just such sweet and giving people. They will all be missed.”
Rick wasn’t the only Bainbridge resident to contact me.
“Normally, I wouldn't suggest this kind of a story, but the couple who run the pizzeria are very special people,” wrote Judie. “I received a phone call this afternoon from the owner to tell me the ‘sad’ news because she didn't want us to show up and find the pizzeria closed. My family have been regular customers for years since the time they were located in West Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»at Park Royal, and we are always greeted by name and with questions about how everyone in the family is doing. They know our ‘favourite’ order and always throw in an extra pizza for free. We are really going to miss the gracious and generous owners - and their delicious pizzas - when they close up shop! Tomorrow we are hoping to go with a friend - another regular customer - to say goodbye and to bring them a card and plant.”
The owners have their private reasons for closing but it’s another loss of a good independent business in our community at a time when large corporate eateries are dominating. I'm hoping to stop by soon for a last slice and to pay my respects.
The Rolling Dough will be missed.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
