Little Italy Pizza & Italian Restaurant, a fixture in Rural Hall since 1999, has a new home — just down the street from its old one. Little Italy opened March 30 in a brand-new building at 696 Angus St., at the intersection of Bethania-Rural Hall Road. Owners Margherita Looz and Domenico Borredon said they decided to move out of their rented space in a nearby strip center because they needed to expand and wanted to own their space.

“We needed more room, and we wanted to have something to leave our kids,” Looz said. In a way, the move marks the final step in Little Italy’s transition from a pizza parlor and sandwich shop to a full-service Italian restaurant. Looz’ father, Pascale Looz, started Little Italy after emigrating from a small town outside Naples. He and his brother Luigi ran an Elizabeth’s Pizza in High Point before opening Little Italy.