The return of Bruno’s

A third generation has Bruno’s Pizza ready to reopen Tuesday. Here’s how they worked to make a new location still feel like Bruno’s, a West Lafayette icon.

• Thanks to sponsor, Stuart & Branigin, for continued support of the Based in Lafayette reporting project.

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• Sponsorship help for this edition also comes from Purdue Musical Organizations. The 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show is the must-see event of the year! Gather your family and friends, and create lasting memories as you sing along to your favorite songs and marvel at the extraordinary Purdue student talent on display. Get tickets here.

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THE RETURN OF BRUNO’S

A dry run Sunday night on Covington Street, nine months after Bruno’s Pizza closed to make way for development on the West Lafayette Levee, had a crew sending out orders to fire stations and a few select friends from a third home and from a third generation of the Itin family since Bruno Itin Sr. opened in 1955.

Bruno’s reopens for real Tuesday, with carryout and delivery for the first week in a spot next to Brokerage Brewing Co. The new dining room, considerably cozier than the one at Brown Street and Howard Avenue, will open a week later.

(Photo: Dave Bangert)

“It’s like moving into a new house, when you’re still like, Where are the light switches?” Krista Rodriguez said. “But we’re finding our way.”

“The muscle memory is coming back,” Angela McDonald said.

Rodriguez, McDonald and Holly Beattie are three of Bruno Itin Jr.’s daughters and founder Bruno Itin Sr.’s granddaughters who are leading the revival of a restaurant that has been a West Lafayette and Purdue landmark.