The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Eatery back on track for October opening
Gramma Sue’s Kitchen to offer carryout only for now
Gramma Sue’s Kitchen owners were left with a better taste in their mouths after their most recent dealings with the city of Mentor.
After meeting with city planning staff, Suzanne Azzarello and her husband, Joe Marotta, agreed to run a carryout business until they can take ownership of the property at 6316 Center St. and expand the parking lot next year.
“It’s like a cloud lifting over our head,” Azzarello said. “We’ve been doing cartwheels ever since. It’s just going to be a temporary thing until we get the deed.”
The Planning Commission had tabled a request to reduce parking requirements for the eatery’s site over concerns with the plan to use spaces on adjacent lots via shared parking agreements.
The regulations require 28 spaces minimum for a sit-down restaurant in the 1,800-square-foot former photography studio.
The applicants had proposed 15 spaces within the existing parking area and 14 more on adjacent properties.
However, Law Director Joseph Szeman noted the issues the city has had in the past with such non-binding agreements in situations where an establishment is “under-parked.”
Szeman had suggested going with a carryout-only business for now.
Marotta initially balked at the idea, calling it too restrictive and significantly changing the nature of the business.
“We weren’t too crazy about the carryout thing, but my husband said we might be able to survive that and be busy, because we have people who can’t wait to get in,” Azzarello said. She expressed gratitude to the city administration for working with them on the project.
She said customers could still eat in at the counter or one of four tables.
Menu items will include pancakes, sausage, bacon, French toast, pasta, hotdogs, pizza, hamburgers, fries and fried bologna sandwiches.
The plan now is to open in October, about a year after the couple started leasing the property.
“We’re excited and can’t wait to get started,” Azzarello said.
The parking reduction request was dismissed without prejudice at the Aug. 1 commission meeting.