Copyright keenesentinel
Roll out the dough. Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza plans to return to Keene next year. After what he described as some city code and staffing setbacks, the pizza chain is aiming to open its new location in Keene’s Riverside Plaza in May, Director of Operations Vito Adragna said. The franchise has several locations across New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Ramunto’s shuttered its Main Street restaurant in Keene in January 2023 and was preparing for the move to the Winchester Street shopping center, The Sentinel previously reported. The pizzeria will operate from the same building as Aspen Dental. However, the preparations at 342 Winchester St. were slowed by staffing scarcity, storm-drainage issues and the need for permits from the city, Adragna said. Ramunto’s return comes with a revamped menu and new direction for the pizzeria, and this time around, Adragna has a second wind, he said. “The goal has always been to be here,” he said. “The town needs us back, even though there are some good pizza places around here.” In the years since Ramunto’s has served up slices in the Elm City, the chain has revamped its menu options at its other locations. Adragna said he’s bringing those to the new Keene restaurant when it opens next year. The biggest change is the addition of a breakfast menu, which includes omelets, eggs, French toast and pancakes, Adragna said. The new menu will also include quesadillas, corn dogs, hot dogs and some fish options. With the reopening, Ramunto’s will look to double the amount of by-the-slice options from five to 10, Adragna said. It will also keep the pies in a heated area, rather than reheating them as needed, as was standard practice before. Unlike its predecessor, the new location will not have a full bar, though patrons will still be able to order wine and other alcoholic drinks with their meals. Keene already has too many bars, he said. “You can’t really compete with the bars here,” he said. “If you’re coming into a pizza place to have a drink, you’re probably in the wrong place. But if you want to have a drink with a few slices, then you’re in the right place.” The construction was approved by the city in February, and work began in June, Adragna said. So far, his crew and Pinney Plumbing and Heating have been working to get the space ready. The main projects so far have been installing new roofs and fixing a problematic drainage system — one that he said could cost him about $50,000. “It’s been a slow process,” he said. “We’ve already got all the drainage pipe in.” Adragna said he is also constructing a patio for outdoor seating. Adragna initially wanted the neighboring building that now houses GFA Federal Credit Union in Riverside Plaza, but the current inhabitants beat him to it, he said. But he loves the premises he has now, and is hoping to maximize the amount of carryout the business can do. “This location is a game changer,” Adragna said. “It’s gonna be real easy for takeout.” The new location is close to Keene State College and a slew of businesses with employees who may have short lunch breaks, and Adragna is hoping to target both groups with quick service and by-the-slice options. “I’m hoping we can fulfill that need,” Adragna said. “It’s a good location.” Despite the many existing options for pizza in Keene, Adragna said he’s confident Ramunto’s can reenter seamlessly into its niche. Not much has changed since 2023 — he’s still itching to fire up the ovens in Keene. “We’re diehards” he said. “I can’t walk away.”
