NORWICH – Another downtown Norwich eatery closed its doors with the start of the new year – Grande Pizza on East Main Street. Owners John and Connie Elia decided to retire after 34 years in the local restaurant business, effective Jan. 1.

“To all of our dear and special customers and friends from so very many past and present years … we genuinely thank you with all of our hearts,” the Elias wrote in a letter to the editor on Page 4 of today’s Evening Sun.

Connie Elia said there are no immediate plans for the selling or leasing of the location.