One of San Antonio's most beloved pizza joints has fired down the ovens after an 11-year run. In a Facebook statement, Castle Hills' favorite Poppys Pizza announced its March 31 closure."It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Poppys Pizza," wrote a restaurant rep. "We want to thank all our loyal customers who have become like an extended family and supported us for over the decade we have been in business. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served the community and be a part of your lives.Cofounder Geoffrey Handler opened Poppys Pizza in a 7115 Blanco Rd. strip mall in 2014, specializing in New York-style pie. The casual restaurant quickly became a north-central San Antonio mainstay for its calzones, pasta, and Italian-style sandwiches.Besides the pizza, the cheesecake was the standout dish. Many of the more than 100 comments on the post bemoaned the loss of the dessert. One restaurant regular called it the best she's ever had.The mom-and-pop eatery actively supported the Alamo City community, particularly its military. Throughout its run, it offered a 10-percent discount to all active and retired service members.The Poppys closure continues a rash of recent hospitality closures plaguing the city. Although the owners did not disclose why they were retiring the concept, many fellow restaurateurs have shared that rising rents, decreased foot traffic, and ingredient costs make running a local restaurant difficult. ...read more read less