Community staple Border Town Pizza is under new ownership as of June 1.
Previous owners Laura Massaro and daughter Kara have passed the reins to Tami and Kamal Bhachu after 11 years to enjoy retirement and to spend time with family.
The Bhachus, Blaine residents, started their search for a business to buy last fall, after having been involved with the community for years. A mutual friend of the couple and of Laura Massaro connected them, and Tami Bhachu said Border Town Pizza felt like the perfect fit.
“We’re right downtown where we want to be, right in the middle of the heart of Blaine,” Bhachu said. “We love it.”
The establishment will remain a family-owned and locally-operated business, and will retain the same recipes residents have come to know and love.
“Laura’s food was amazing,” Bhachu said. “There was nothing I would have changed about that.”
Remodeling and additions to the menu are on the horizon. In time, they plan to add Indian-inspired pies, starting with butter chicken and tikka masala pizzas.
They’ve also added a bar to the interior, and other decor that reflects the new industrial steampunk theme will arrive while they work on other remodeling projects for the restaurant.
Eventually, the Bhachus hope to add a fenced patio to the side of the building with seating and outdoor games such as cornhole. The game room is also getting revamped so that rain or shine, there’s always something to do.
Bhachu said part of the drive to update the eatery is in response to the work done to the exterior as part of the downtown revitalization project. She said initiatives like this are a great way for residents to see how their taxes contribute to their community in a tangible and meaningful way.
“I would like to give props to the city,” Bhachu said. “I think it’s amazing that they’ve done this.”
The Bhachus invite the community to the grand reopening, which will take place 2 to 4 p.m. on June 27, at 738 Peace Portal Drive. There will be door prizes and drawings, with some items donated from various local businesses. Pizza samples will be available and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place.
