The space that formerly housed Original Italian Pizza will not be vacant long. And it will be serving a similar product with a recently established name in Harrison County.

On Tuesday, B’s Pizzeria of Glen Elk owner David Bonasso confirmed he has closed his Clarksburg operation. He will be moving in the former Original Italian Pizza site after taking over their lease.

“We closed (Monday, June 29) in Glen Elk. We had great customers there, but the low traffic flow that only got worse due to the construction and the condition of the roads there made things too difficult,” said Bonasso.

Traffic flow will not be a problem at its new location at 927 West Main Street in Bridgeport. The section of Route 50 will bring thousands of vehicles past his business, along with sitting beside and near multiple heavy commercial areas with hundreds of workers.

“I began looking at this in May, and liked the site, but I am elated due to the fact that there are close to 5,000 cars, or more, every day going past the storefront,” said Bonasso. “Add to that, all the local businesses and we feel we have a winning combination.”

Bonasso is no stranger to Bridgeport, and no stranger to the food industry. His late father, Louis, was the owner and operator of nearly a dozen KFC stores at the time they were still called Kentucky Fried Chicken, including locations in Bridgeport and Clarksburg. He has been in the food service industry 45 years.

As for training, Bonasso got his official start by going to the Pennsylvania Culinary School in 1991. He went to school there with Muriale’s owner and Bridgeport resident Scott Duarte. said Bonasso.

That was followed by a lengthy food journey. He headed to Wayne County and hooked up with another Muriale – Rocco Sam Muriale and worked at the other Muriale’s Restaurant well down south that today is known as Rocco’s Ristorante. He spent roughly a decade there.

That stint by Bonasso being a chef at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. He fed 15,000 daily in the Olympic Village working for Aramark Food Services.

He also worked at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. And, while out of state, he also operated his own pizza shop and worked for other pizzerias as well. He also served in a consulting capacity for other food outlets while working.

Bonasso also has time working in the city. He teamed up with Duarte when Duarte was running things at Mia Margherita. Bonasso also assisted in running food service years ago at the Bridgeport Country Club.

All of that has him prepped for an opening, hopefully the second weekend in July – but barring unforeseen issues no later than mid-July. He hopes to get everyone’s attention with what worked best in Glen Elk.

“We’ll have our lunch special. You get two big slices and a drink for $7. That will be a good starting point to get everyone introduced, and hopefully build a lunch crowd,” said Bonasso.

In recent days, Bonasso has been getting the space ready. He said all the equipment is in place and most of his work has involved reorganizing, painting, and cleaning.

The menu will be the same – featuring pizza, hoagies, salads, additional items, and daily specials. Although it will remain pickup only, Bonasso said the space has been modified for a waiting area, along with a few seats for anyone needing to sit down. Curbside service will also be available.