Estes Park Pizzeria Marks 11 Years of Growth After Flood Recovery
Antonio's Real New York Pizza recently passed its 11th anniversary in Estes Park, marking over a decade of operations that began in the aftermath of the devastating 2013 Colorado floods.
The restaurant, which opened on November 14, 2013, now operates locations in both Estes Park and Longmont, with plans for additional expansion throughout Colorado, Hawaii, and international markets.
Owner Antonio Iamunno launched the business after the September 2013 floods severely damaged Highway 34 and Highway 36, the primary routes connecting Estes Park to surrounding areas. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, over 10 miles of Highway 34 required extensive repairs, including reconstruction of bridges and culverts. The infrastructure damage isolated the mountain community and caused tourism revenue to drop by over 70% in the months immediately following the floods, according to the Estes Park Economic Development Council.
The restaurant's origins trace back to 2012, when Iamunno and his wife Tracey built a coffee shop on Moraine Avenue. The coffee operation struggled financially, leading Iamunno to begin making Sicilian pizzas and offering free samples to customers. This experimental approach evolved into a full pizza operation.
Antonio's eventually moved to a 14-seat location where the business produced between 300 and 400 pizzas daily. The high demand led to the purchase of the current location at 1560 Big Thompson Avenue in 2018. According to Larimer County Assessor's Office records, the building was constructed in 1954 and has operated as a restaurant since at least 1959, previously housing establishments including The Big Thompson Inn and The Big Thompson Bar & Grill.
The pizzeria expanded the building's capacity to accommodate over 150 seats and added amenities including two fireplaces, a bar, and two patios.
Antonio's made headlines earlier in November when the restaurant offered free pasta, pizza, and bread to families affected by a temporary suspension of SNAP benefits in Colorado.
The business also previously operated locations at a drive-through concept on Moraine Avenue and a slice shop at 100 Cleave Street, though both have since closed.