Ronzio's space goes up for bid as part of lease

02/24/09 -University of Rhode Island students recently perusing the business section of the Providence Journal might have been surprised to find an advertisement seeking bids to establish a pizza place on the first floor of the Memorial Union.The space advertised is currently occupied by Ronzio Pizza and Subs, but devotees of the franchise shouldn't be alarmed. Deanne Gentile, who co-owns the establishment with her husband, said Ronzio's has no plans of vacating their Union location.

"We have no intention of going anywhere," Gentile said. "We're still committed to the school, the kids."

Bruce Hamilton, director of the Memorial Union said the call for bids is a result of the expiration of the restaurant's lease agreement with the university.

Under the terms of the lease agreement, Ronzio's had the right to renew its lease for up to 10 years, the longest period allowed by state law.

During the 10-year span, Ronzio's could renew its lease in various increments by asking and without competition. Since the business' lease has come to the end of it's 10-year span, it has run out of options to renew its lease, explained Hamilton.

"The options were all used up, and the present tenant wants to stay, but I have to go through this public process," Hamilton said. "That's the responsible thing that we have to do."

The deadline for bid submissions is March 6. The decision will be made based on a combination of factors, Hamilton said, including proposed rent, hours, business history and menu.

The Union is specifically seeking bids from pizza places, Hamilton said.

"It's one of the things that students have wanted here for a long time, it's part of the mix," he said.

Hamilton said the restaurant has been a good tenant.

"I know they've worked with different group charities and sponsored some things with athletics, and paid their bills on time, so people are pretty happy with them."

Gentile seems unfazed by the potential competition for the space.

"Oh, I always expect competition," Gentile said. "We have people come in to look around. It's all good, it's OK, that's what it's about, but our intention is to be here."

The Gentiles have owned the restaurant for about two years and like the location, Gentile said.

"We're very happy here, we have the kids here, we have the staff here, the students are great, [there's] a lot of good people," she said.

Considering the economy, business is also good, Gentile said.

"It could be a lot worse," she said. "It could always be a lot worse."

Junior Jacob Holzman said he thinks the quality of the pizza has improved in the past year or so, an improvement he attributes to the change in ownership, but that he does not eat there often.

"I can get pizza of equal quality in the dining hall, plus it's cheaper," Holzman said, but added that he wouldn't like to see the pizzeria replaced by an establishment with less variety.

Senior Katherine Alia had a very different view.

"I love that place, they have a good ... spinach feta and tomato pizza," Alia said. "I eat it all the time, it's my obsession."

Alia, who said she eats at Ronzio's about once a week, said she would be disappointed to see the business replaced by a big commercial pizza place like Domino's.

"I don't know, I think I've kind of gotten used to Ronzio's being there," Alia said.

Freshman Stephen Maris also expressed enthusiasm for the pizzeria.

"Nothing's better than playing pool and having a slice of pizza," said Maris, who was engaged in a pool game with two friends. "It's actually really good," he added.

Despite his opinion, Maris was not upset by the prospect of a change.

"I don't think that would make that much of a difference really," he said.