Ulises Godinez, former manager of Gina Maria’s Pizza, opened Pizzas Gina in the same Eden Prairie building using the same recipes. Photo by Rachel Hoppe
A new pizza restaurant, Pizzas Gina, opened Monday, Nov. 3, in the former Gina Maria’s Pizza location at 7416 Mitchell Road.
Gina Maria’s Pizza closed its four locations on Oct. 14 with little notice. A message on its website announced the closure, and a sign posted on the door of the Eden Prairie location indicated it would reopen under a new name and ownership.
Ulises Godinez, who managed two Gina Maria’s locations, including the Eden Prairie one, decided to open a new restaurant using the same recipes after Gina Maria’s closed. The Eden Prairie restaurant is currently the only Pizzas Gina location.
Godinez said both Gina Maria’s management and the building’s landlord were helpful in opening the new restaurant. The previous owners gave him permission to use the same recipes and left supplies in the restaurant’s freezer for him to use.
Godinez said Pizzas Gina is family-owned and that he, his wife and their children all work there. They still need to update the décor and signage to reflect the new name.
Pizzas Gina is open for delivery and pickup orders as of Nov. 3, Godinez said.