As its 50th anniversary approaches, a beloved Arizona pizza chain with strong community ties filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-October, according to the Bankruptcy Observer.
Streets of New York is a family-owned, woman-led chain that started in 1976 and grew from a single location to 16 today, including 15 in Arizona and one in Las Vegas. The brand calls itself “the official pizzeria of Arizona sports,” noting partnerships with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Rattles and Phoenix Mercury.
Streets of New York Inc. filed a petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona on October 16. The petition lists $100,000 to $1 million in assets and liabilities, according to the Bankruptcy Observer.
No reason for the bankruptcy filing was indicated in the petition. However, the bankruptcy court filed a deficiency notice regarding some required documents that hadn’t been filed. Chief Judge Edward Ballinger reportedly dismissed the Chapter 11 case, which means Streets of New York will have to file again if it plans to pursue the case.
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Hackensack, New Jersey native Lorrie Glaeser, the president and CEO of Streets of New York, founded the company with her late husband. The Glaesers wanted to bring East Coast-style pizza to Arizona when they moved to Phoenix in 1976. Prior to that, they ran bakeries in New Jersey.
“There were more franchise-style restaurants [in Phoenix], which didn’t have quite the same taste profile that we were seeking and would be enjoying,” Glaeser told a Phoenix TV station in November 2021. “Our family moved here, and we came into this little restaurant, which was existing. The owner said, ‘Would you like to buy it?’ and we were in business within a few weeks.”
Since then, Streets of New York clearly has forged a deep bond with the communities it serves. Recent social media posts highlighted the winners of a pizza box design contest for kids—a partnership with the Phoenix Raceway—and a National Pizza Month fundraiser for the nonprofit, Child Help, with a portion of proceeds from every pizza sold on Thursdays donated to the organization that combats child abuse and neglect.
The website features additional high-profile nonprofit partners like Make-A-Wish Arizona, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, the Phoenix Rescue Mission and the McKenna Youth Foundation, among many others.
The pizza chain has a loyalty program, a strong social media presence and a catering program.
“My mantra has always been to serve people and enjoy just being with people,” she told the TV station. “I love working with people.” At that time, Streets of New York employed 380 people, she said, “and they’ll always see me in the kitchen. If I’m in my high heels, I’m walking around, sliding around, helping on the kitchen floor. I love this business. I love participating and being a caretaker of Streets of New York and developing it to where it is today.”
