After 22 years of serving its signature pies to pizza lovers all across Omaha, The Pizza Shoppe Collective will close its doors for good on March 11th.

Owner and operator Amy Ryan says that she is closing the Benson favorite to devote her full attention to her new role as executive director of the Benson Theater.

She says she is thankful for all the love and business The Pizza Shoppe has received over the years.

"“I can’t begin to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported The Pizza Shoppe over the years. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your work days, birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, weddings and celebrations of life in all forms."

Pizza lovers shouldn't despair over the closing of The Pizza Shoppe because a new pizzeria is already in the works to fill the void that will be left behind.

Virtuoso Pizza is set to open in April in the same building as The Pizza Shoppe and promises to deliver bring a twist on South Omaha Italian to Benson.

Virtuoso will be owned and operated by David Losole who is leaving his family restaurant. Lo Sole Mio. He is the only certified pizza chef in Nebraska to graduate from Tony Gemingnani's International School of Pizza.

So while pizza lovers in Omaha may mourn the loss of The Pizza Shoppe they will be left in good hands.