It’s just a few more weeks until famed West Highland pizza parlor Pizza Alley will once again open its doors. Since it closed in December 2023, the restaurant, at 3499 W. 32nd Ave., has been sorely missed and has experienced a few false starts on its way back to life.

Prior to the closure, it had been serving the neighborhood since 1976.

The reopening also comes with new ownership. The previous owner, Paul Sargeant LLC, purchased the business in 2021, but later closed the joint due to a “mechanical issue,” according to a sign that was posted on the door in late 2023.

Pizza Alley never reopened, however, and Sargent was later sued by the Colorado Department of Revenue for back taxes. Colorado Community Media also reported last September that supplier Shamrock Foods had sued Sargent over unpaid bills.

In April 2024, Denver-area restaurateur Khagendra Gurung, owner of neighboring Indian and Nepalese restaurant Himchuli, took over the space and began renovations; Gurung owns a second Himchuli location in the River North Art District and Mazevo Mediterranean Eatery, at 3961 Tennyson St.

Though he’s installed new kitchen equipment (including a new hood), added new furniture, and modernized the look, most everything else should be familiar to customers.

“Right now, we’re trying to keep it the same and hoping it will attract the same clientele,” said Jordan Thompson, a former manager who will be returning to the role. Fans can rejoice in knowing that items like the Alley Special, with pepperoni, meatballs, sausage, green peppers, black olives, onions, mushrooms, and extra cheese, will return to the menu unscathed.

Over the decades, Pizza Alley amassed a large following. “We had a lot of regulars. We had one guy from Brooklyn who would order from us literally every day,” Thompson said.

“It was a family atmosphere,” added Brianna Thompson, Jordan’s wife and fellow former manager. She will also be returning to launch Pizza Alley’s latest phase.

The team is confident that despite the interim, Pizza Alley will soon be back to its former glory. “Lots of people want Pizza Alley to be open over there,” said Gurung.