GRAMERCY — The ovens are blazing once more at a First Avenue pizza joint that went without gas for nearly two months, according to an employee.
Frank’s on First, also known as Frank’s Trattoria, located at 371 First Ave. between East 21st and East 22nd streets, is back in action and slinging pies again after getting the gas turned back on Wednesday afternoon.
“We just got the gas back on and we’re so happy about it,” longtime employee Marcel Vazquez told DNAinfo Wednesday, a day after the restaurant’s owner said she might have to close up shop if the problem persisted. “The owners were really worried about having to close, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen now.”
The restaurant had no gas hookup since a gas leak on the block in December alerted Con Ed to leaky pipes in the building. But even after the owners hired a plumber to do a full pipe replacement, Frank’s ovens remained cold as they awaited a visit from Con Ed inspectors, according to Vazquez.
Neighbors began rallying in support last week, enlisting Councilman Dan Garodnick to the cause. According to Garodnick, his office began leaning on Con Ed to expedite the hookup last week, leading to a visit from a Con Ed inspector who gave the all-clear on Wednesday.
Garodnick, a Stuyvesant Town resident, said he is a longtime customer of Frank’s and stressed its importance to the neighborhood.
“They've got some of the best pizza in the city, and I have been going there since I was a kid,” Garodnick said in a statement. “They have been through the wringer, and we hope that the community comes out in full force to show them our support."
Representatives of Con-Ed did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
