Crust Simply Italian is set to open its fourth location this fall in downtown Mesa. The new location will be part of Mesa's The Grid, a new commercial and residential development in a previously underutilized parking structure. Crust owner Michael Merendino, a first-generation Italian American, grew up watching his father make pizzas in Long Island, New York.

He opened Crust in 2007 with the goal of bringing authentic Italian food to Arizona. Crust has three locations in Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert. The restaurant serves bruschetta, calzones, pasta and 20 inch pizzas, with cannoli, tiramisu and gelato for dessert.