Iconic North Braddock pizzeria handed over to founder's daughter

The daughter of the original owner of Vincent's Pizza Park on Tuesday regained possession of the building housing the iconic North Braddock pizza parlor.

The Allegheny County Sheriff's Department gave control of the building to Toni Zollner, daughter of the late Vincent Chianese, during a sheriff's sale, said Rich Fersch, a sergeant with the sheriff's department. No money exchanged hands.

The sale of the equipment inside the building, such as pizza ovens, coffee makers and soda machines, was postponed until June 11, Fersch said.

The sheriff closed Vincent's, off Ardmore Boulevard, on Thursday when Zollner, who lives in Glendale, Calif., got a court order claiming that owners John Belissimo Jr. and Joseph Cava broke their agreement by failing to give her $42,000 in royalty payments and nearly $11,000 in rent.

Zollner in October terminated the shop's license agreement that allowed the owners to operate as Vincent's Pizza Park, but the owners continued operating under the name, according to court records.

Fersch said people who believe they have property inside the building can file a claim with the sheriff's department in the Allegheny County Courthouse before June 11.

The sale does not affect any other restaurants operating under the name of Vincent's or Vincent's Pizza Park.