Leona’s Staff Launch GoFundMe to Support Pizzeria
setbacks have marked local joint’s journey since securing a storefront earlier this year
Loyal customers of Leona’s – the Eau Claire pizzeria formerly known as Covizza birthed over the pandemic years – were able to breathe sighs of relief when its owners, Jakob and Brittany Paulsrud, shared exciting news earlier this year: They had officially signed a lease for a storefront of their own. Well, it is now nearing the end of 2024, and Leona’s is still not open at 408 Galloway St. – and a new GoFundMe offers some insight as to why.
A GoFundMe campaign entitled “Help Leona’s Rise from the Ashes of Covizza” was launched this past week by Leona’s bartender and events organizer Jordan Duroe. Since its launch on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the GoFundMe has raised just over $6,000 of its $30,000 goal. The fundraising website outlines the local pizzeria’s journey over the past four years.
What began as a backyard- and pop-up pizza operation during the pandemic became a fast favorite which ultimately operated out of rented kitchen space in Banbury Place. In 2023, Leona’s announced plans to move into The 1106 (formerly Artisan Forge Studios), but that project fell through as we reported then.
After snagging the Galloway Street location in 2024, Leona’s was looking at renovating the space and reopening it as a restaurant, bar, and event site, with hopes of hosting a variety of live entertainment and community events alongside its popular pies. But according to the GoFundMe, back-to-back setbacks have pushed the team’s plans.
“Brittany and Jakob did not want to ask for help,” the GoFundMe description states. “They want to give back to the community, not take from it. But the existence of Leona’s will give so much to our community. We’ve created this GoFundMe as a way to mitigate the losses they’ve incurred and set the restaurant up for success.”
If you want to donate to the GoFundMe for Leona’s or learn more about the campaign, click here. You can keep up with Leona’s on Facebook.
