Ok. Deep breath. Let’s talk about this like adults who love pizza a normal amount (lying).
If you’ve driven past Sexton’s Pizza in Harrison West recently and felt a weird pit in your stomach, you’re not imagining things. While the location is still listed as “temporarily closed” on Sexton’s website, what’s happening in real life tells a slightly different story…and yeah, it’s got some of us spiraling a bit.
What’s going on with Sexton’s Pizza in Harrison West?
Here’s what we know for sure.
The Harrison West storefront:
- Looks fully torn apart inside (more renovation zone than pizza shop).
- Has had its signage completely removed from the large plaza windows.
- Does not look like a place that’s reopening anytime soon.
Again, officially? Temporarily closed.
Unofficially? It sure feels like a quiet goodbye.
And for those of us who considered this one of the best pizza spots in Columbus, this one stings.
Let’s clear something up about “burnt” pizza real quick
If you’re one of those people who says Sexton’s pizza is “burnt” or “overcooked”… I say this with love… that is a wild take.
Well done does NOT mean burnt.
Char does NOT mean ruined.
And a crispy, blistered crust with some color on the undercarriage is not a flaw… it’s the entire point.
That char? Delicious.
That crunch? Essential.
That slightly aggressive bake? Elite behavior.
Sexton’s was easily in my top three pizzas in Columbus, and I will die on that hill (probably while holding a slice).
Why this loss feels extra personal
The Harrison West location was by far the closest Sexton’s to me. Losing it feels… rude. Unnecessary. Emotionally destabilizing.
But here’s the thing. That space was tiny. Because of that, Harrison West never had the full Sexton’s experience. No massive menu. No deep bench of options like you’ll find at their other locations.
Which brings us to the silver lining…
Not all hope is lost (seriously)
If you thought this was about Sexton’s disappearing entirely, relax. This is not a Hot Chicken Takeover situation. There is no domino effect. No slow-motion collapse.
In fact:
- Sexton’s just opened a new location in Lewis Center.
- Their Hilliard and Gahanna locations are still very much alive and kicking.
- And… this is the important part…
👉 Sexton’s now has a pop-up inside Good Night John Boy in the Short North.
So while Harrison West might be done, it looks a lot more like a strategic relocation than a shutdown. Moving their Short North/Victorian Village presence into a much higher-traffic, late-night-friendly spot honestly makes a ton of sense.
Is it as neighborhood-coded as Harrison West? No.
Is it as close to my house as it used to be? Also no.
Am I just being dramatic? Probably!
Official confirmation…?
We reached out to Sexton’s locations in Gahanna and Hilliard for clarification and official confirmation of the store’s closure, but as of now, we haven’t received verification.
Until then, everything points to Harrison West quietly closing while Sexton’s shifts its focus elsewhere.
And yes, we’ll update this story the second we hear more.
The bottom line
- The Harrison West Sexton’s location appears to be permanently closed, despite being listed as temporary.
- Sexton’s Pizza as a whole is not shutting down.
- A Short North pop-up and a brand-new Lewis Center location suggest growth, not decline.
- Charred pizza is good, actually, and I refuse to debate that.
Pour one out for the neighborhood staple…but don’t panic. Sexton’s is still very much in the pizza game.
And if you see me aggressively defending charred crust in the comments somewhere, mind your business (or join my defense).
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