Surprise Family Reunion at Giovanni’s Pizza on Coast Village Road
Owner of 32 Years Honored Weeks Before Closure
On Wednesday evening, Albert Noormand was happily surprised but didn’t immediately understand why so many friends and family were coming into his pizzeria on Coast Village Road. His four grown children and many grandchildren had secretly planned an event to celebrate the long history of Giovanni’s Pizza. Albert’s son Shawn, who owns the Carpinteria namesake eatery, showed up with his sons and joined other family members in the kitchen to help with the sudden rush.
Noormand, owner and one of the original founders of Giovanni’s Pizza, has been looking for a new location since hearing that his lease would not be renewed in 2019. He’d been told the landlord is looking for a more upscale venue.
At 70 years old, with plans for 100, Noormand has been in the restaurant business since graduating college and relishes the interaction with the customers. “The restaurant business isn’t for everybody, but I love it.” Giovanni’s has been a longtime destination for regulars and families’ pizza nights: “We’ve served three generations here,” he said. Celebrities have also been known to come by: “Oprah, Steve Martin, I recognize a lot of faces but don’t always know the names.”
Technically in the City of Santa Barbara but known as the Montecito location, the family-style restaurant that opened in 1986 will shut its doors for good in about a month to be out by the January 30 lease deadline.
