Jim Lahey Shutters Pizzeria Co. After Nearly a Decade

Bread baker extraordinaire Jim Lahey has shut down pizzeria Co. after nearly a decade in the neighborhood — saying that he’s instead focusing on his other business Sullivan Street Bakery and its Hell’s Kitchen reopening. Its last day was Tuesday.

Lahey first opened the popular restaurant in 2009 at 230 Ninth Ave., near West 24th Street, with the idea that he’d serve “a more balanced, healthier pizza” for people on a budget. It was among the first restaurants in the artisanal pizza movement in New York, and one of the first to receive a full review in the Times. Frank Bruni awarded it one-star, commending Lahey’s mastery over dough.

The pizza scene has since grown like mad in New York, but even after the initial culinary buzz wore off, Co. — short for company — remained a standout neighborhood restaurant with ambitious toppings, chewy crust, and communal seating.

A Lahey spokeswoman says that the baker and restaurateur may bring a new restaurant to the Co. space. For now, he has a pop-up in Hell’s Kitchen at 536 West 47th St. and the Chelsea location at 236 Ninth Ave. Stay tuned for more.