Shield’s Pizza opening downtown location in Kales Building

Shield’s Pizza will open its eighth Detroit-area location in the Kales Building this summer. The 7,000-square foot first floor space will feature separate bar/lounge and restaurant spaces connected only via the basement, which is also where the restrooms will be located.

Paul Andoni, who co-owns the chain with his brother, describes the look of the restaurant, which is currently being designed, as “a comfortable setting with a chic and trendy urban feeling—as opposed to our suburban locations.”

The restaurant will be operated by franchisee Tony DiGirolamo, who had to convince the Andoni brothers that downtown was a good location for a Shield’s Pizza. DiGirolamo says when he brought the owners downtown “and they looked at the location — where it’s situated near the ballpark, the Fox Theatre, the Opera House and State Theatre, and with 118 apartments above us and there really isn’t a pizza location downtown — we put two and two together, and it made sense.”

Andoni admits that he and his brother had not envisioned opening a Shield’s in the city but now knows that they made the right decision. He says, “There is a lot of synergy, a lot of night spots that have opened in the last few years. The more eateries and bars that locate to this immediate area, we view that as a positive: more interest, more awareness.”

Besides pizza, the restaurant will serve pasta, chicken and salads. Catering service, that can include delivery to downtown office buildings, will start at $5 per person.

DiGirolamo hopes to begin build-out on the space in approximately two weeks.

Sources: Paul Andoni and Tony DiGirolamo, Shield’s Pizza