Beloved Western New York Pizza and Wings Restaurant to Close

New York's restaurant scene is shrinking once again. This time, the state is losing a family-owned establishment that's been around for generations.

In a few weeks, a longtime favorite known for red hot wings and sizzling pizzas is permanently closing after a near 50-year run.

It will soon join an ever growing list of closures that have rocked the community in recent days.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Just recently, the famed Domenico's Restaurant shut down after 58 years in business. A week after, Central New York lost one of its favorite Mexican restaurants, Pedro's Kitchen.

Now, a beloved community cornerstone is ending its 48-year run.

Penora's Pizza - which established itself as one of the best places for pizza, buffalo wings, fish fry, and humongous subs - will close down the first week of July.

Courtesy Penora's Pizza on Facebook

The establishment, located at 5055 Broadway in Depew, New York, has been serving hungry customers for almost 50 years.

The sad announcement comes a few months after the death of restaurant co-founder, Shirley Dischner.

She, alongside her husband Norman, opened Penora's Pizza in 1977.

While the restaurant remained in the family, with the daughter holding down the fort, it was ultimately decided that it was time for a new chapter.

The restaurant announced on Facebook:

It's with a heavy heart after 48 yrs of serving, Depew, Cheektowaga and Lancaster we will be closing the 1st week of July [...] we hope to see our Loyal customers one last time! Thank you for allowing us to feed you and your family! We wish you all the best!

The community reacted with shock and heartbreak, with many offering stories of the wonderful memories they made at Penora's.

"You have been at our dinner table many times celebrating birthday parties and Bills games," a commenter named Susan wrote. Meanwhile, a man named Alan revealed he had been going to Penora's for 40 years and that his parents still go there every Friday for their fish fry.

Despite the community's disappointment, many extended heartfelt congratulations to the owner and sent well wishes for their new venture.

Penora's now joins the ever-growing list of restaurants and businesses that have left us in 2025.

Businesses That Have Closed in 2025, So Far

Several restaurants, bars, and businesses have closed in Central New York.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

Get our free mobile app

The Eating Is Oh-So-Good in Upstate New York's "Triple Cities"

This is another gallery in our feature of great dining areas across Upstate New York. This one looks at the Southern Tier and the region called the "Triple Cities," which comprises the area around Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott, NY.

The eating is great here, from a simple signature spiedie sandwich to some of the best fine dining in Upstate. And Italian restaurants? Don't even get me started! Here is a sample list of ten great restaurants to explore the next time you are passing through. They include Japanese cuisine, steakhouses, taverns, Polish, and (of course) Italian restaurants.

And remember, this is just a sampler list of ten from an area with 100 mor more great places to eat. Please visit our Facebook page if your favorite "Triple City" restaurant didn't make a list.

Give it a shout out!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio