Adriatico’s current location will close at it moves around the corner to a new location. Credit: Owen Daugherty | Assistant Campus Editor

Adriatico’s fans need not fear, the campus favorite has found a new location.

The restaurant’s current location on 11th Avenue, which was bought by the university years ago, is set to be demolished, but Adriatico’s will move nearby to a location at 10th and Neil avenues.

Greg Fortney, the owner of Adriatico’s, said being able to stay in the same neighborhood was important.

“We’ve been in this neighborhood for 30 years so it’s great to stay nearby,” he said.

The demolition, announced in October, will take place to make way for an Ohio State optometry clinic and office building.

The new location should bring some improvement to the Adriatico’s experience, Fortney said.

It will have a bigger kitchen which Fortney said will help shorten the time customers wait during peak business hours. Nothing will change the Adriatico’s quality, he said, adding the current equipment used will move over to the new location so the pizza joint will continue to deliver the food their customers expect.

Other things customers can look forward to at the new location are a larger dining room, chicken wings being added to the menu and more beers on tap.

University spokesman Dan Hedman said Ohio State is happy with the outcome for Adriatico’s.

“We are thrilled that Adriatico’s has found a new home allowing them to remain a staple of the university community,” he said. “We continue to work closely with all impacted business owners to find a solution that meets everyone’s needs.”

Fortney said working with the university has been great. He said he was notified in person of the current location being demolished and worked the Ohio State to secure a new location.

“They have been professional and classy the whole time,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the people over at Planning and Real Estate.”

Fortney said there is no exact date set for the move — he hopes to be settled in by July — but the transition will be complete for the arrival of new students in the fall.