21-Year-Old Becomes New Owner of Coon Rapids' Beloved Pizza Flame, Seeks Liquor License Approval

21-Year-Old Becomes New Owner of Coon Rapids' Beloved Pizza Flame, Seeks Liquor License Approval

Pizza Flame, a longtime staple for pizza aficionados in Coon Rapids, is ushering in a new era with 21-year-old Tyler Bourgoin at the helm. Having worked at the restaurant for six years, Bourgoin recently transitioned from an employee to the proud owner, looking to inject fresh energy into the nearly half-century-old establishment. As reported by the official City of Coon Rapids website, Bourgoin brought his case before the City Council seeking approval for an on-sale liquor license, having taken ownership back in March.

"A lot of things changed during COVID,” Bourgoin told the Council. With the pandemic having reshaped the landscape of dining, former operations had pivoted to largely survive on pick-up and delivery orders. Eager to steer the business back to its pre-pandemic glory, the new owner is set to reintroduce on-site dining experiences, complemented potentially by beer and wine offerings, should the Council give the green light for the liquor license proposal.

The community may soon find itself reacquainted with its beloved pizzeria under Bourgoin's direction. Famous for its thin crust and square-cut pizzas, Pizza Flame is poised to continue serving up culinary traditions while also embracing modern tweaks, such as online ordering—a significant nod to the evolved customer behaviors. "Owning this place, it has the customer base, it has the recipe," Bourgoin expressed, signaling his intention to preserve the essence of Pizza Flame that fans have cherished for decades.

Bourgoin has also committed to revitalizing the restaurant's community bond, with plans to, once again, open for business on Mondays—much to the delight of loyal customers who missed the extra day of service since the onset of the pandemic. "I'm trying to get it back the way it was pre-COVID,” Bourgoin explained, setting sights to make Pizza Flame a go-to spot. The return of Monday operations will begin promptly on October 7, offering the community full access to their favorite pizza joint at the start of the week.

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SOURCE: hoodline