STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If you consider the crunchy, traditional pizza slices from Gennaro's Pizzeria a gold standard for excellent versions around New York City, take advantage of these next few days. The classic pies will soon stop under the auspices of Gennaro "Jerry" Chiarello, the parlor's proprietor and namesake.

The family posted Friday morning on the restaurant's Facebook page: "To Our Valued Customers, Friends & Family, After 49 wonderful years serving you, we would like to inform you that Gennaro's Pizzeria & Restaurant will be closing its doors on Thursday, May 31, 2018."

The post expressed thanks to patrons for their "business, loyalty and support over the years.

It continued, "We've spent decades doing what we love best...and we have you to thank. We will forever carry the memories and the good times you and your families have shared with us."

Jerry, Maria and the Gennaro family added, "This is not goodbye just see you later...Thank you from the bottom of our hearts...from our family to yours...we will miss you!"

Jerry himself had a few words to convey: "We've been dedicated members of the Staten Island business community for nearly 50 years. We've decided that now is the right time to turn our focus on our grandchildren and family.

"We'll forever cherish the memories with our dedicated employees and customers who have been like family to us. We wish the entire Staten Island community continued success," he said.

Gift cards will be honored if redeemed by Thursday, May 31.

"We'd love to see you drop by one last time for our famous pizza, zeppole and calzones," concluded the message.

Gennaro's has roots at the corner of New Dorp Lane and Hylan Boulevard going back to 1969. The business, known back then for its red and white, rounded tent architecture, was called Pizza Clown. Jerry and and his wife, Maria, bought the business which became Pizza Town USA, a notable paradigm of Staten Island's mom-and-pop businesses of the era. The restaurant served consistent calzones, hot heroes and Jerry's signature pizza.

In 1980, the business outgrew its circus-like digs. It took 18 months for Chiarello to erect a new restaurant, the current structure with its casual eating area of booths plus a separate ala carte dining room used for private parties. The name of the place changed as well: This now was the era of Gennaro's Restaurant and Pizzeria with its boxy, 5,000-square foot building and expansive Italian menu.

From Advance reporter Stephania Cleaton of June 16, 1993, in discussion of the grand re-opening: "As the community grew, so did the number of pizzerias in the neighborhood. Within a one-mile radius of Gennaro's are nearly 10 pizzerias. But Chiarello said he was never worried about the competition."

Chiarello was quoted saying, ''I know when we started construction on the new building the parking lot was tight. It was painful for me to see people waiting an hour or an hour and a half to be served. We thank them for their patience."

Patrons of the restaurant have included long-time East Shore residents and Advance Executive Editor Brian J. Laline.

"I never went into Gennaro's when Jerry wasn't behind the counter. I am a fan -- I've been with him since Pizza Clown," said Laline, adding that his son Peter might be his biggest fan on Staten Island. "There was a time when he was getting Gennaro's take-out four nights a week."

But Jerry hasn't just been a long-standing businessman on New Dorp Lane.

"He's a real community guy -- a friend who is generous beyond belief," Laline said. "He treated everyone like they were the most special people in the place. He made you feel important. And it wasn't an act. He's one of the most genuine guys I've known."

Gennaro's -- 413 New Dorp Lane -- is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until midnight and Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The final day of service is May 31.