Indiana pizzeria at the center of religious freedom controversy closes

The Indiana pizzeria once at the center of a national debate over religious freedom has permanently closed its doors.

Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Ind., closed for business last month, The South Bend Tribune reported Monday.

Its owners, Kevin and Crystal O’Connor, were the center of a media firestorm in April 2015, when they said they would refuse to cater a same-sex wedding because of their religious beliefs.

Their comments, made to a local reporter, went viral.

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The pizza shop soon became the focus of intense criticism surrounding the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed into law by then-Gov. Mike Pence (R).

The law was meant to protect individuals from government intrusion of their religious beliefs. However, it was later adjusted to specify that it did not allow businesses to discriminate. 

The owners were confronted with protests and death threats.

Walkerton residents and business owners said privately to the South Bend Tribune that they didn’t think Memories Pizza closed over the controversy.

Many said the O’Connors — who did not return comment to the newspaper — just wanted to retire.