NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — A family-owned Newark pizza spot is temporarily closed to move locations, announcing the change with a social media post that denounced foreigners.
In a now-deleted post, Circles & Squares Pizza said it will be moving out of its current location, 81 Calburn St., but does not know where it will reopen shop. Shop owner Anthony Hrebluk said he disagreed with the new property owners and chose to rent elsewhere, labeling the new owners as foreigners who are selling items they don’t agree with in a drive-thru.
The post said, “The property we rent was sold to new owners (🥸foreigners🧟‍♂️👎)🤢🤮 And we don’t agree on the way they do things and the things they are selling in the Drive through that are not good/health for our community.”
Hrebluk was referring to the new ownership of Brewsky’s Drive-Thru, located next to the former Circles & Squares Pizza site. The drive-thru sells alcohol and intoxicating hemp, which require a liquor license to sell. According to state records, Brewsky’s is appropriately licensed to sell.
The post continued to ask for advice finding other spaces to rent, then said “We have morals, and unfortunately the new owners do not. we choose family and community.” The post ended with “Pizza is for Everybody.”
According to property records, the site was bought by Mandala Investments LLC, which is registered to Reynoldsburg resident Akash Acharya. In a post from Brewsky’s addressing the comments, the drive-thru said everything sold at the site is legal, licensed and inspected by the state.
“We don’t believe in arguing online we believe in facts, hard work, and respect,” Brewsky’s post read. “Anyone who has been here knows the kind of service we provide and the effort we put in every single day.”
Brewsky’s said it had also tried to work alongside Circles & Squares. The drive-thru said the pizza company had been paying $2,200 a month under the previous owner. Brewsky’s ownership said it offered to reduce the rent to $1,800, then even $1,600 with a one-year lease to help Circles & Squares through a slow period.
“We wish them well, but we will not tolerate false or hateful statements about our ownership, our team, or our community background,” Brewsky’s team wrote. “Brewsky’s is proudly a locally owned and operated small business, open to everyone and serving the same community we live in.”
Circles & Squares said customers can tune into its Facebook page for future updates about when the New York and Detroit-style pizzeria will reopen elsewhere. NBC4 reached out to Hrebluk for comment on the post and move, but did not hear back.
Brewsky’s remains open at 81 Calburn St. The drive-thru has also offered care bags with SNAP essentials for those affected by the shutdown, no questions asked. Brewsky’s posts information about care packages on its social media, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
