Boom’s Pizza To Expand Into Market Hall

Three years after opening in Lakewood, and a year and a half after opening a second location in Shaker Heights, Boom’s Pizza will launch its first slice shop. The new venture will open this spring inside the Market Hall at Van Aken District.

After successfully testing slices at Boom’s Pizza during weekends, chef and owner Ben Bebenroth said that opening a separate slice shop makes financial, logistical and common sense.

“They’re different customers,” he says. “If you want a slice, you’re not buying a whole pie. And if you want a whole pie, you’re not buying six slices.”

He explains that despite being located literally feet apart, shoppers in the Market Hall tend to remain in the Market Hall. And diners bound for restaurants in the main shopping plaza tend not to venture in. The move also streamlines operations at both spots by simplifying the offerings.

“It just made sense,” he adds.

It’s a win-win all around, says Van Aken District general manager Jesse Rathner.

“We always felt that when pizza left the Market Hall, the dynamic of the hall changed, and we felt there was an opportunity to bring that back,” Rathner states. “The fact that people can get slices seven days a week for lunch and dinner is going to be huge and it reinforces our commitment to having a family-friendly dynamic atmosphere.”

When it opens in the coming months, Boom’s Slice Shop will offer a daily selection of five pies, a few salads and beverages. Like a typical New York City slice shop, shoppers pick an actual (as opposed to a display) slice, which gets tossed into a hot oven to finish baking. The whole process takes between two and five minutes depending on the toppings.

“It’s super simple,” says Bebenroth. “Point, pay and bounce.”

For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.

Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, featuring immersive stories, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.