News broke this week that beloved New Haven-based Pepe’s Pizzeria wouldn’t be replacing The Fireplace after all. This past July, Pepe’s announced plans to open in the Washington Square restaurant space.

Chef and owner of the The Fireplace, Jeff Solomon, even stated in a previous press release: “It is a dream to transfer our lease to Pepe’s … I will be a frequent customer.”

Well, guess not.

In another statement released this week (and posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page), Solomon states that he has called off the deal with Pepe’s Pizza.

“In order to concentrate exclusively on building The Fireplace Catering I had intended to sell the restaurant to my friends at Pepe’s Pizzeria – but we have called off the deal. Ever since deciding to close the restaurant I have been overwhelmed with requests (some very emotional!) to remain open… I love serving the community in which I live and have decided to keep running my restaurant.”

And while this is certainly a relief for frequent patrons of The Fireplace’s cozy restaurant, it’s a blow to Pepe’s Pizza fans in Boston. Many were looking forward to welcoming the white clam pizza pies to the Brookline neighborhood.

However, according to the Boston Globe, Pepe’s fans shouldn’t be too disappointed. Solomon claims in the article that the “Pepe’s team does plan to open ‘several’ pizzerias in Boston and that they’re currently scouting other locations, possibly elsewhere in Brookline.”

Solomon also states in the article that he’s “rededicating” himself to The Fireplace restaurant.

[Update: As of February 5, “Pepe’s Pizza is in the process of signing a lease for a location of its restaurant somewhere in the metro Boston area,” reports Boston Restaurant Talk. The location is not The Fireplace. The article also notes that the new Pepe’s may open later in the year.]

Image: Screengrab