The original Bruno’s Pizza location on Vine Avenue in Tyler is set to close.

Like any mom and pop establishment, Bruno’s Pizza & Pasta traces its roots in East Texas going back decades.

Founders John Walter Rumbelow and his wife, Josephine, were pillars of the Bullard community for years. J.W. served as an educator in Bullard and his wife Jo would whip up her family’s signature Italian dishes for friends and family. From those humble beginnings, Bruno’s opened its first location on Vine Street in Tyler in 1976.

J.W. and Jo operated the restaurant together until Jo’s passing in 1985. From there, J.W. continued to manage Bruno’s with help from his children until he passed away in 1991. At that time, J.W. sold Bruno’s to his son, Jay and his wife, Lori, who still own and operate the business today. The pair opened a second location on Old Jacksonville Highway in 2008.

Bruno’s prides itself not only on the food served — made from scratch meatballs, lasagna, bread made fresh daily, or any number of pizzas served with generous amounts of toppings, cheese and marinara sauce — but also its staff.

Jay, Lori, and a core group of employees, some who have worked at Bruno’s since the pair’s adult children were toddlers, have been serving up food and friendship for years.

A true family establishment, Jay and Lori already have begun the process of grooming their youngest son, Trevor, to one day run the restaurant and keep the Bruno’s tradition going strong and serving East Texas for years to come.