What started as a small takeaway pizza shop four years ago is moving into a new, significantly larger venue less than a kilometre from its former location, giving the popular local pizza shop room to welcome families and expand its menu.
Space Pizza is unveiling the new venue at 427 Henley Beach Road in Brooklyn Park this Sunday with a special opening event offering unlimited freshly made pizzas from 6pm to 9pm for just $25.
The business, which is owned by Jorge Gurgueira and his wife, first opened in Clearview before expanding to Henley Beach Road two years later.
Eventually the duo shut their Clearview shop to focus on their Henley Beach Road space.
But as the customer base grew, so did the need for space.
“People wanted to sit down in the shop and eat, but it was so hot in there because it’s such a small space,” Jorge said.
“I’ve been looking for somewhere bigger for a year. And now, we’ve found it.”
The new and improved Space Pizza.
The new Space Pizza is still very much a pizza shop at heart, but the expanded venue has allowed Jorge to add plenty more to the offering.
There are now schnitzels, chicken wings, burgers, and Brazilian snacks known as coxinhas, alongside the pizzas that started it all.
The new space also has room for families to settle in and enjoy the food.
“We also have two little girls, and we know it’s hard to go out for dinner,” Jorge said.
“We always try to go somewhere that has entertainment for kids so that we can have some free time.
“That’s why we decided to set up the play area.”
The function room of the restaurant which has a bar and play area for children.
Staying close to their regulars was also important when the move happened.
“The new shop is less than one kilometre away from the old one,” Gurgueira says.
“We’ve been planning a move for a long time, but at the same time, we loved our customers so we wanted it to be close by.”
The back room is capable of seating up to 50 people, alongside a bar with Jorge in the process of obtaining a liquor license, which he said will make the space perfect for functions and events.
“In Brazil, my parents have a catering company,” Jorge said. “So I grew up in the kitchen, doing functions my whole life.”
Esfiha and burgers which are part of the new expanded menu. Images: Provided.
He said that one of his favourite dishes from Brazil is the esfiha, a small, savoury pastry inspired by the Lebanese food tradition that became popular in Brazil.
“It’s very common in Brazil. It’s inspired by Lebanese food. There is a lot of Lebanese influence in Brazil, so Brazilians created the esfiha, which is similar to Lebanese cuisine but we add more cheese and toppings.”
Space Pizza
When: Opening on Sunday, August 16
Where: 427 Henley Beach Road, Brooklyn Park
To find out more and for tickets to the opening event, click here.
