Longo’s Pizza patio project proceeding

Larger outdoor seating area to include roll-up overhead doors

Longo’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria will soon be able to accommodate more outdoor diners. Owner Joe Longo recently received approval from Mentor Planning Commission to expand his patio by 780 square feet. The restaurant, at 8907 Mentor Ave., will be able to provide for 48 seasonal seats and greater flexibility for distancing between tables. “We feel our industry is trending towards more outdoor seating,” Longo said previously. “We already have a covered patio with a bar and seating for up to 60 guests, which we built over eight years ago.” He noted that the location has the smallest dining room among the family eateries at 70 seats. That was reduced by pandemic protocols. The patio project was to get under way this week. New furniture and doors have been ordered, fencing is down and digging is to begin this weekend. “It was a smooth process with the city and we appreciate that,” Longo said.

“(We are) looking to be completely finished in four to six weeks.” Live entertainment is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. “We are looking to have a semi-normal summer on the patio — praying for lots of sun,” he added. More TVs and a new sound system are planned as well. The patio hours will be limited by city restrictions to no later than 11 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and no later than 10 p.m. on Sundays, due to its proximity to residential buildings. The applicant is also proposing to remove the existing sliding barn doors that are currently located at the rear of the pavilion and replace them with new overhead metal roll-up doors. This will allow the pavilion to be open during fair weather. The following conditions were among those recommended as part of the approval, March 25: • Live music is limited to

“(We are) looking to be completely finished in four to six weeks.” — Joe Longo, owner

inside the pavilion. • Any noise associated with the operation of the outdoor patio shall comply with Chapter 531 Noise Control. • Patio furniture shall be removed from the patio during the off-season and not stored outdoors on the site. This expansion is in addition to the Longo family’s recently revealed plan to add a state-of-the-art pasta “factory” in the space just west of the family’s Pastina Rustic Italian Restaurant, 9354 Mentor Ave. The business will include a storefront from which to sell wholesale and retail homemade pasta, ravioli, cavatelli, sauces and other specialty items. The family also has a Longo’s Pizza in Mentoron-the-Lake, and own Joey’s Italian Grille in Madison and Chardon. The first restaurant was established in 1981.