Italian restaurant to take over former HopCat space in downtown
An Italian restaurant with handmade pasta and pizza is getting ready for an opening this fall at the former site of HopCat in downtown Royal Oak.
HopCat, 280 W. Fifth Street, closed in the spring of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic surged and the company later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The new restaurant, called Pastaio, has signs on the front of the location announcing its pending opening with plans to hire staff.
On Tuesday, workmen were inside the three-story building painting.
City Manager Paul Brake said he’s heard the new Pastaio eatery has building plans in the works and is seeking transfer of a liquor license.
“We’re pleased to welcome them to the downtown,” Brake said. “The bigger picture is that this shows the resiliency of our downtown with a new restaurant coming in that we expect will be a viable destination spot.”
Restaurateur Pasquale Lamarra has a Pastaio restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Fla. and began the application process with the city last month to open in Royal Oak. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Restaurants that serve alcohol first have to get approval for their plan of operations from the City Commission after the police department files a report with recommendation.
Brake said he expects the matter will go before commissioners within several weeks.
Lamarra told the Detroit News this week that the new eatery will have a nightclub on the top floor called 00 Bar, while the restaurant will have a full bar and serve a variety of pasta entrees, brickoven pizza and Italian meals.
“We just execute beautiful Italian food at pretty reasonable prices,” Lamarra told the News. “It’s affordable but it’s also a really cool atmosphere. It’s not your typical mom and pop Italian restaurant.”
Lamarra reportedly also created a steakhouse at a former HopCat location in Florida.
The company’s website at eatpastaio.com says it is seeking employees for the location in Royal Oak, and another location Palm City, Fla. The site highlights the restaurants’ dishes and explains that Pastaio means pasta maker.