New Catch-a-Fire Pizza location opening in College Hill, chain's 4th in Cincinnati area

An up-and-coming pizza chain for an up-and-coming Cincinnati neighborhood.

Catch-a-Fire Pizza, known for its wood-fired pizzas, will be opening a new College Hill location in the early fall, the company announced in a joint news release with the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.

The new location will be at 5920 Hamilton Ave., right across from Patrick Wolterman Memorial Park in College Hill's vibrant and blossoming business district.

“We have so much respect for what has been happening in College Hill and we are thrilled to be a part of the community," Jeff Ledford, Catch-a-Fire Pizza co-owner, said in the release.

Ledford's wife and restaurant co-owner, Melissa Ledford, echoed her husband's comments, saying they chose the College Hill location because there were "very impressed with the sense of community there as well as the dynamic dining scene.”

The new location will be Catch-a-Fire Pizza's fourth in Greater Cincinnati, joining existing spots in Blue Ash, Lebanon and Westwood. The company closed its location inside MadTree Brewing in Oakley in January. In 2023, the chain was named Pizza Company of the Year for the Midwest Region and the Sustainability Champion by the Pizza Industry Excellence Awards, according to the release.

In the coming weeks, the College Hill storefront, which used to house the Sleepy Bee Cafe, will undergo renovations in order to add a spacious patio and large parking lot. The goal for the restaurant will be to provide guests with "a lively gathering spot that brings people together to enjoy artisan food and craft beverages in a family-friendly atmosphere," the release said.

Additionally, the new Catch-a-Fire Pizza will host monthly wine tastings and live music. Once it opens for business in the fall, the restaurant will provide full service and be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, the release said.

Revitalization in College Hill

In the last eight years, the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation has led $91 million in development in College Hill's business district, with another $40 million in the pipeline, according to the release.

“We are delighted to welcome such an accomplished business, taking root in the heart of College Hill. The addition of Catch-a-Fire Pizza to our already thriving business district further enriches our dynamic commercial landscape,” corporation CEO Emmanuel Karikari said in the release. “Catch-a-Fire Pizza will complement our business district's diverse array of businesses, enhancing our reputation as a premier destination for dining and entertainment.”