The owners of the new Peppino's Grille, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge in Heartside hope to hit a Grand Slam with this week's opening.
After months of renovating the former EQ3 space at 130 Ionia SW, Kurt Suidinski and Joe DiLeonardo will open the doors October 15 at 3 p.m. for their first customers.
"It's going to fill what seems to be a very large hole for lunch options down here," says Suidinski, 36. "We've had people stop in from nearby Western Michigan University, U.S. Signal and Aveda to find out when we're opening now that they know we're close."
The $800,000 renovation of the 10,000 square foot storefront includes a massive stone fireplace with a lounge area appointed with coffee-hued leather couches and burgundy leather chairs. A concrete-topped bar on the main level seats 26 and features 28 beers on tap.
Maple and walnut millwork throughout the restaurant gives the space an inviting feel. Sports enthusiasts won't miss a minute of their favorite games with 29 flat screen televisions on the walls, a projection TV and personal TVs in the 14 dining booths.
"If a family comes down and sits in a booth they can ask the server to put on the cartoon network on the booth TV," Suidinski says.
"The upper deck has a smaller version of the main bar with eight taps and a comfy lounging area with 16-foot picnic tables and cocktail tables for big parties that want to come in and watch a game," Suidinski adds.
The menu includes pizza, pasta dishes, sandwiches, steak, seafood and burritos – many made from fourth-generation Sicilian recipes from Joe DiLeonardo's family. Lunch customers can opt for the $7.95 lunch buffet or delivery.
Pioneer Construction handled the construction. StudioWise Design and R2 Design, both of Grand Rapids, collaborated with DiLeonardo and Suidinski on the design.
Source: Kurt Suidinski, Peppino's Grille, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge
Related ArticlesPeppino’s newest game in town with $800K downtown Grand Rapids sports barDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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