Unionized pizzeria closing in Brooklyn after more than a decade of serving

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN (PIX11) – A pizzeria that made headlines for being one of the only unionized shops in New York City will close at the end of February. 

Barboncino on Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn will serve its last slice on Feb. 28, the owners announced on social media. 

“We believed in Barboncino’s long-term potential, but because of rising economic strains, diminished sales, and other industry-wide challenges, it is with great sadness that Barboncino must put out the oven-fire, and close the doors,” the post read. 

For 14 years the pizzeria offered a variety of slices, Italian wines, gelatos, cocktails and more in the neighborhood. 

The closing comes a little more than two years after the restaurant was taken over by new management and more than a year after workers voted unanimously to unionize.

Barboncino staff members say they were never able to settle contract negotiations and as a result, never received a raise from the restaurant. Additionally, workers say they’ve been unable to barging and discuss severance pay with Barboncino’s owners. 

Unionized workers have opened a GoFundMe to support staff members who may be without a job after the pizzeria closes.