Vito’s Pizzeria is expected to open on May 17. Its new location will be 3515 Lindell, across from Fitzgerald Hall and McDonnell Douglas Hall.

“We should have been open a long time ago,” said Vito LaFata, owner of the restaurant.

LaFata blames the delay of general construction setbacks and a difficulty in finding someone to help finance the project in the nation’s economic slowdown.

When Saint Louis University began demolishing the Marina and Feathers buildings last semester, Vito’s was forced to close and move to its new location.

Before Vito’s, however, the new location was the campaign headquarters for Freeman Bosley, Jr. and home of the Lindell Mini-Mart, which is part of the reason for the extended closing.

“We’re kind of building the place from scratch,” LaFata said. “The convenience store that was in there really didn’t have anything for a restaurant.”

Despite this difficulty, the new location offers more space than the old restaurant.

This allows LaFata, who is also a student in the professional studies program at SLU, to open his doors more for larger crowds and banquets.

The new restaurant will feature the same atmosphere as the old location, with a new bar and wood floors.

“We will try to keep the same kind of d?cor, with Mediterranean colors,” LaFata said.

With the new location, Vito’s will also be expanding its menu, with 24 specialty pizzas-more then the previous 12-more sandwiches and a greater pasta selection.

“We hope to be taking Vito’s to another level,” LaFata said.

LaFata is also hoping to take advantage of the opportunities that Grand Center may bring, hoping that the larger crowd heading to the Fox will have a positive effect on his business.

Vito’s will also be open later at its new location. Instead of closing the kitchen at 11 p.m., LaFata hopes to leave the kitchen open until midnight or 1 a.m. on weekends, with delivery specials for SLU students.

“I can’t wait until the new Vito’s opens,” said senior Carla Jokerst. “I really miss their salads, pizza and the overall atmosphere it has. Vito’s is definitely a cool place for my friends and me to hang out.”

The new location is also one of SLU’s many off-campus buildings.

“The University has bent over backwards for us,” LaFata said. “They have been helpful in a number of ways.”

In 1998 Vito’s won Get Out’s People’s Choice Award for best pizza. In 2000, it was voted best pizza by The Riverfront Times and won best pizza in St. Louis by St. Louis Magazine in 2001.