A well-known Old Forge restaurant opened its doors Friday for the first time in over nine years.

Ghigiarelli’s Restaurant on South Main Street closed in January 2017 after the death of owner Robert Baron. In 2023, Baron’s remains were discovered nearby at Pagnotti Park. In 2024, a jury convicted Justin Schuback of first-degree murder in connection with Baron’s death.

Now, Mark Baron believes the time is right for his family to reopen the eatery in honor of his brother and as a benefit to the community.

On Thursday, the family announced on social media that they would be opening their doors on Friday for takeout only, accepting orders from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with pickup later in the day.

Within an hour, however, the business was back online apologizing that they were sold out of pizza for the day. Customers were understanding, with several stopping in to order for upcoming days.

Baron said several things came together to make the reopening possible, and with many area Catholics refraining from meat on Good Friday, he thought it would be a good day to get back to it.

For now, red and white pizzas will be sold only through takeout, Wednesday through Sunday evenings, but Baron said he hopes to open the dining room back up within the next several months.

Lisa Fultz, Mark’s life partner, said that after February’s announcement of plans to reopen, she watched Mark tweaking the recipe over and over to get it exactly right.

Mark had worked in the family restaurant in the past but wanted to make pies his brother would be proud of.

Baron said he believes his brother would be happy that the restaurant was reopening, and members of the community reflected that sentiment.

“It smells like pizza,” a woman stopping in at the shop told Baron. “Are you opening?”

During Justin Schuback’s trial, it was apparent that Robert Baron was a beloved member of the Old Forge community and that the restaurant was a favorite eatery for many.

Response to their reopening on social media cemented the community’s commitment to the family and the eatery, as well as excitement about a chance to enjoy the restaurant’s food.

Many responded with “this is great news” and indicated they hoped the dining room would soon open back up.

Old Forge Borough Council President Russell Rinaldi, who owns Cafe Rinaldi nearby, is excited for Ghigiarelli’s reopening.

Instead of viewing the restaurant as competition, Rinaldi views Ghigiarelli’s as strengthening the borough’s presence as the Pizza Capital of the World.

If Mark Baron asked him to come over and man the ovens for him, Rinaldi said he would be right there.

More than a dozen Old Forge restaurant owners are always there for each other, assisting during fundraisers and occasionally loaning their equipment to other businesses.

Rinaldi noticed the Barons were posting their plans to reopen the restaurant over the last several months to Facebook.

Each time, Rinaldi took to the social media site, welcoming the business back to the borough, offering prayers and good thoughts.

“Every place here supports every other place 1,000 percent,” he said.

Every restaurant brings more visitors to the area, offering not only pizza, but more than a century of tradition.

“I’m super excited for the family. It’s a nice, positive thing for them as one of the innovators of Old Forge pizza,” Rinaldi said.

For now, the restaurant will be open 4:30-7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with orders taken over the phone earlier in the day.