After 40 years in business, Wagon Wheel Pizza on Palm Bay Road is closing down for good. The owners of the restaurant have announced their retirement as the main reason behind the closure. Although staffing issues and rising costs did play a role, it was ultimately the desire to enjoy their retirement that led to the difficult decision.
Keith Elwood, who has spent decades working long hours at the restaurant, expressed his excitement about spending more time with his family, including his grandchildren. However, he admitted that the decision to close the restaurant is bittersweet. He thanked the customers from Melbourne, Palm Bay, and beyond for their support over the years.
The original Wagon Wheel location in Melbourne, which opened in 1971, will remain open for business. The Palm Bay location was opened in 1984 by Elwood’s father and uncle and has been a cherished part of the community ever since. Regular customers like Diane Rykowski were saddened by the news of the closure but understood why it had to happen. They vowed to continue supporting Elwood’s family-owned businesses in other ways.
