New Pizza Shop to Open in Downtown Wenham

Mangia Neapolitan Pizza plans to open in a previously vacant retail space along Main Street in Wenham.

Mangia licensee Derek Langone said the company takes a "measured approach" to choosing new locations said he feels Wenham will appreciate the company's focus on quality. Mangia has seven existing locations, including two in Boston plus Brookline, Cohasset, Hopkinton, Norton and Sharon.

Langone is the licensee of the Wenham location - and possibly some other future locations. Steve Fenerjian is the CEO of the Mangia Restaurant Group.

"We chose Wenham because it's a charming small town; Additionally our research indicated that there is a shortage of high quality food options available," Langone said. "We also heard from many local residents that they would appreciate a catering option for birthday parties and other special events."

Langone said Mangia plans to open in "mid-autumn." A more specific opening date has not yet been announced. Langone said Wenham town officials have been helpful outlining the process that Mangia needs to follow to get all the necessary approvals.

There will be no customer seats in the restaurant and the pizza will instead be available for takeout or delivery.

Mangia's serves New Haven-style thin crust pizzas plus salads, gourmet sandwiches and pasta dishes and all of the food is made to order.

In advance of the opening, Langone said 12-15 employees will be hired, including a store manager, kitchen staff, counter staff and delivery drivers.

Langone said Mangia focuses on the things he said the chains restaurants have overlooked by serving high quality food at a reasonable price with "terrific customer service."

"It seems like a simple concept but today these sound business principles tend to be overlooked by the large chain restaurants," he said.

The building that Mangia plans to lease has been vacant since the winter and Kate Richard, the real estate agent that's had it listed, previously said that businesses ranging from a country store to a barbershop were interested in the space.

The building was converted from a two-family home to retail and office space by Maria Lekkakos, who owns neighboring M. Lekkakos Spa, when she purchased the building last year.

This story was updated to indicate that Derek Langone is the license of the Wenham location and not the owner of Mangia Restaurant Group.