Pepperoni Express moves down the street to escape rising waters

Lakis Theoharis stuck a hastily handwritten sign to the door of Pepperoni Express and stepped inside to a restaurant riddled with puddles. 

Kitchen equipment was missing. The dining area was devoid of customers, a rarity during lunchtime at the popular Worcester Street pizza spot, and a food delivery was being directed to Lakeview House of Pizza, just down the road at 78 Worcester Street.

But don’t worry about Theoharis. He’s known, after all, as “Lucky,” and what looks like quick exit from Pepperoni Express’ home in a former Burger King has actually been months in the making.

He just didn’t realize the move would be so… wet.

“Someone from the Conservation Commission told me this building couldn’t be built now,” Theoharis said. “It’s just too close to the swamp.”

In drier times, the wetlands abutting Pepperoni Express just skim the parking lot. Recent rains have flooded the former drive-through and rising water has crept over doorsills and seeped through the floors. 

The water, and other issues with the building, eroded Theoharis’ patience. When the former owners of Lakeview House of Pizza asked him if he would be interested in taking over their business, he jumped at the chance.

“It will be a better fit for us,” Theoharis said. “Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, we’ll be back to normal business. Just in a different place.”

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