The Calozzi family has moved in on First Hill. Last week, Italian Family Pizza opened in its new home in a space formerly occupied by a check cashing business at the intersection of the neighborhood’s two main arteries at Madison and Boren.

Steve and Jennifer Calozzi moved their popular restaurant from 1st Ave to First Hill to make way for demolition and development downtown. But the change also simplifies the family’s life. The new location for Italian Family puts the Calozzis in business just down the block from O’Dea where their son attends high school.

The First Hill opening is part of what we have only kind of jokingly referred to as the great pizza rush of 2016. It’s true, the direction really does seem to be toward a pizza joint every two blocks around Capitol Hill and, apparently, First Hill. When we first reported on Italian Family’s move in March, Steve told CHS the explanation for the pizza boom is not a complicated equation. “When people are looking at costs, the margins are really good in pizza,” Calozzi told CHS. “If people keep it simple, 15 to 20% profit. But pizza is just me. It’s what I do.”

It’s been quite a boom:

As great Capitol Hill pizza rush of 2016 plays out, veteran Amante’s upgrades

Capitol Hill’s year in pizza: Pizzeria Ottantotto now open on Broadway

A pizza joint every two blocks: Meltdown Pizza Co. ready to serve its slice of Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill food+drink | First look at Dino’s Tomato Pie

Capitol Hill food+drink | Sizzle Pie and Dark Bar open in Pike/Pine

Old timer Pagliacci adds ‘slice bar’ as great pizza rush of 2016 stretches to North Capitol Hill

And there is more to come:

Capitol Hill food+drink | Macrina Bakery and Pagliacci Pizza working on a new venture on E Pike

CHS visited the new Italian Family location and found the same old East Coast-style pizza, some housemade cannoli, and beer by the bottle. The new joint is open 11 AM to 8 PM Monday to Thursday, 11 AM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays noon to 10 PM and Sundays noon to 7 PM. You can check out the menu here, charmingly hosted by a student account at Seattle Central.

Capitol Hill food+drink notes

• Happy first birthday to Chop Shop:
  Chop Shop is coming up on its first birthday on Sunday, July 10. They’ll be toasting to a year full of vegetables, fresh-pressed juice, and double-cut pork chops with a little party. From 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, July 10, Chop will be hosting a birthday celebration on the side patio, in the Chophouse Row mews. Join them for complimentary nibbles and $4 glasses of bubbles to celebrate a great year in the heart of Capitol Hill. “I’ve loved being right in the thick of things,” says Ericka Burke. “It’s been so fun getting to know the neighborhood, and playing with the menus at the restaurant and the juice bar.” Come toast to a great year with Chop Shop!
• Want to buy the old Elliott Bay Cafe sign?
• Want to buy a 15th Ave E coffee shop?
• At 25th and Cherry, Frank’s Smoked BBQ will replace the much-loved Barbeque Pit.
• Permit watch: Rhino Room’s basement expansion is a go. Resto’s new patio is approved.
• When ya’all are ordering “cowboy coffee” at the Starbucks Roastery, we’ll blame Sprudge.
• Garage is celebrating its 20 years on Capitol Hill all month.
• Tallulah’s has a new chef:

.@TallulahSeattle's has a new chef https://t.co/JqNj5EmMWQ

— Seattle Met Magazine (@SeattleMet) July 7, 2016