Leonard Balaj and his brothers, Brian and Steve, have established strong roots in the Upstate’s thriving restaurant scene.
They have collaborated at Sophia’s Italian Restaurant in downtown Spartanburg, Olivia’s Pizza in Greenville, and Roma Pizza in Union.
They recently opened Downtown Pizza on Magnolia Street in Spartanburg.
The restaurant describes itself as serving “authentic New York-style pizza.”
Leonard said he had owned a pizza restaurant on Staten Island, New York, before moving to Spartanburg with his brothers two years ago. In 2020, Steve and Brian opened Sophia’s.
Leonard believes that high-quality ingredients and consistency are essential for crafting great pizza. “We use good flour and mozzarella. “We make our own sauce,” he explained.
Downtown Pizza’s menu includes 20 pizza options in 12 and 16 inch sizes, as well as salads and desserts. Leonard plans to add a limited range of sandwiches.
Downtown Pizza is housed in a former Subway establishment. It’s the first pizza place to open in downtown in recent years.
Between 2019 to 2022, Greenville-based Sidewall Pizza operated a restaurant at the Montgomery Building. Sonny’s Brickhouse Pizza, a popular spot for nearly two decades, closed in 2019.
Venus Pie Pizzeria is located on East Main Street, close downtown. It was purchased by Hub City Hospitality earlier this year.
Leonard Balaj stated that he and his brothers intend to open a second Downtown Pizza store in Inman.
