Bruno's Pizza in West Lafayette announces closure, offering hope for future relocation

Jillian Ellison, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read
In this 1998 photo, Bruno Itin Jr. tosses a pizza in the kitchen of Bruno's Swiss Inn . Soon after, Bruno's moved a block away to Brown Street in the West Lafayette levee area. Construction of the U.S. 231 bypass forced the move.
In this 1998 photo, Bruno Itin Jr. tosses a pizza in the kitchen of Bruno's Swiss Inn . Soon after, Bruno's moved a block away to Brown Street in the West Lafayette levee area. Construction of the U.S. 231 bypass forced the move.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.— After nearly 70 years of business, Bruno's Pizza and Big O's Sport's Room announced Wednesday, Feb. 7 would be their last day of business.

Part of a handful of properties, that were approved for rezoning by the West Lafayette City Council in July, the land the restaurant stands on has been stamped for redevelopment, Bruno's Pizza explained in an announcement shared on Facebook early Wednesday morning. Ground is expected to break in 2024 on a new Landmark Properties apartment complex, according to plans submitted to the city, for a mix of 590 units along with over 21,000 square feet of retail space below.

Orlando Itin, co-owner of Bruno's Pizza alongside his siblings Bruno Jr. and Tina, said while Wednesday would be their last day for offering hand-tossed pies, he anticipates they will run out of prepared dough early in the evening.

"We are thankful to our loyal customers who have supported Bruno's for nearly 70 years," the Itin family said in the announcement. "We have countless memories of hosting anniversaries, birthdays, wedding parties and so many other celebratory events, as well as thousands of patrons who became our friends."

Orlando Itin, right, looks on as his brother Bruno spins dough for a pizza Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at Bruno's Pizza and Big O's Sports Room, 212 Brown Street, West Lafayette.
Orlando Itin, right, looks on as his brother Bruno spins dough for a pizza Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at Bruno's Pizza and Big O's Sports Room, 212 Brown Street, West Lafayette.

Although Wednesday would be the last day for pizza and garlic knots, the family noted the business' closure may not be forever, citing in the announcement they are considering possible options to reopen Bruno's at a new location.

"It has been our pleasure to serve the Greater Lafayette community and honor our parents by carrying on the tradition they started," the announcement said. "We are extremely appreciative of our employees, especially those who have been with us for decades. Their loyalty is beyond compare, and we consider them part of our family."

Coming to the United States from Switzerland in 1951, Bruno Itin Sr. had two suitcases to his name and a knowledge for baking. After spending a few years in Northern Indiana working different jobs, the Itin family patriarch met his wife, Evelyn. Moving to West Lafayette in 1955, the couple married and just 10 days later opened their famous Bruno's Pizza restaurant.

After remodeling in 1970, the restaurant was rebranded to Bruno's Swiss Inn, according to the Bruno's Pizza website, with additional remodeling and an expansion to follow in 1976. In 1998, the family restaurant would be forced to move to its current 212 Brown St. location due to US 231 construction.

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached by email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ellison_writes.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Bruno's Pizza announces closure with hopes for reopening