The tweet went out around 10:25 a.m. from the Columbia Daily Tribune on April Fools Day.

It read, “Not April Fools’: Downtown @ShakesPizza location slated for demolition.”

Despite the day on the calendar and the propensity for jokes, the tweet is true. One of Columbia’s most iconic restaurants, once voted the winner of Good Morning America’s 2010 “Best Bites Challenge: College Edition” contest, is being demolished this summer.

Manager Kurt Mirtsching said Shakespeare’s was left little choice in the matter to relocate.

“The fact is we are a tenant and don’t own the building where we operate,” he was quoted as saying in a press release.

According to the press release from Shakespeare’s, the restaurant will move one block down to 220 Eighth Street, which is the former location of BBC2, Tin Can Tavern, and Los Bandidos. Shakespeare’s move will accommodate a new housing development in its soon-to-be former location.

Mirtsching told KBIA he is working to preserve the features of the original 9th Street restaurant.

“We’ll be keeping the same tables, we’re keeping the same counter that you order your pizza from," he said. “We’re probably going to keep the same bar. We’re going to uproot it and reinstall it.”

He also expressed appreciation for the support the public has shown the restaurant since the announcement was made.

“We’re glad to see that so many people care so much about us,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see all the support. We’re glad to see that a lot of people understand that we’re making a move that’s going to let us be here for the next 50 years and we’re looking forward to it.”

Shakespeare’s will occupy the ground floor of the new building at 9th and Elm St. when the building is completed in the summer of 2016.