When frozen yogurt spot Yogurtland closed at the West Paces Ferry Shopping Center in Buckhead last year, Antico pizza owner Giovanni Di Palma says he jumped at the chance to snatch up the space to open Pala, an Italian bakery and gelateria serving paninis, pane Romana flatbreads, and desserts.

With a plan to open February 14, Pala marks Di Palma’s first food endeavor with his son Johnny. Regulars to the pizzeria in Home Park are likely familiar with the comic strip above the ordering station at Antico depicting an image of the younger Di Palma’s face. For Di Palma, opening Pala with his son allows the college student a place to operate and learn the restaurant business.