Welcome Back, Nueva Italy! Rogers Park's Beloved 18-Year Pizza Institution Reopens — and the Neighborhood Showed Up

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Rogers Park · April 10, 2026

Rogers Park has its pizza back — and the community made sure Nueva Italy Pizza knew just how much it was missed. The family-run shop, a neighborhood staple for 18 years, has officially reopened after a months-long closure, and loyal customers turned out in force to welcome it back. The outpouring of support was a powerful reminder of how deeply woven local businesses are into the fabric of this Far North Side neighborhood.

The reopening comes at a moment when Rogers Park is brimming with community energy on multiple fronts. This Sunday, April 13, the Rogers Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library is hosting a special Poetry Open Mic featuring The PO Box Collective, a local Rogers Park poetry group, with readings by neighborhood authors. Registration is open and spots are still available — it's a perfect way to celebrate local literary voices right in the heart of the community. Meanwhile, over at Jarvis Square, R Public House is hosting a Brunch Bingo with all proceeds supporting the Willye B. White Park Art in STEM Competition, helping foster creativity and opportunity for young neighbors.

From a beloved pizzeria back in action to poetry on a Sunday afternoon, Rogers Park is doing what it does best: showing up for one another. Stop by Nueva Italy, grab a seat at the library on Sunday, or head to Jarvis Square this weekend — there's no better time to explore everything this neighborhood has to offer.

Sources:
1. https://www.fox32chicago.com/tag/us/il/cook-county/chicago/rogers-park
2. https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=rogers+park
3. https://www.jarvissquarechicago.org/events