Fat Pie Pizza in Downtown Fairhaven is expected to attract more business to the neighborhood when it opens.
Construction on the Rocket Building,
which houses Fat Pie Pizza and Rocket Donuts, started in March 2012 and was
scheduled to reach completion by the end of that year. Rocket Donuts opened July
5, 2013 and the pizzeria was originally expected to open in August of 2013, but
construction on the restaurant continues and is expected to finalize soon.
The main setback for the restaurant’s construction was due
to the decision to add rooftop seating after construction had already begun. Adding
outdoor seating on the rooftop required obtaining further building permits before
construction on the roof could commence.
Pickup trucks and construction supplies periodically occupy
parking spots in front of Fat Pie Pizza on Harris Avenue to keep construction
material off the sidewalk. At times the spots are marked with caution tape or
have traffic cones surrounding them.
Colleen Mitchell, owner of Culinary Creations on 11th Street
next to the new Rocket
Building, said the
construction supplies occupying parking spots has become “a little annoying”
and that business was slow while the whole building was under construction.
“It’s better now, but their trucks still take up a lot of
spaces,” said Mitchell.
When construction on the pizzeria is complete, outdoor
seating will be available on all three floors. The roof will be able to seat 50
people, while the second floor will be able to seat 36 people. The pizzeria
will have a full bar and a lounge on the second floor.
“Most of our seating will be outside,” said Fat Pie Pizza’s
General Manager Kim Mindnich. “Outdoor seating will be available year round, as
long as it’s a clear day.”
Fat Pie Pizza’s exterior stays uniform with Fairhaven’s
historic themes, but its interior design is more contemporary, with pictures of
historic Fairhaven
expected to be hung on the walls. Seating will consist of thick wooden tables
and chairs and booths. Mindnich said the interior design of the restaurant has
changed a few times since construction began and minor adjustments have been
made so there is enough room in the kitchens to accommodate ovens and storage
space.
“We want a casual yet upscale feeling to the restaurant,”
said Mindnich. “We want a unique look, but nothing special; something warm,
welcoming and friendly.”
Madeleine Carpenter is a resident of Fairhaven and believes that Fat Pie Pizza is
a good addition to the neighborhood.
“I think it’s something locals will navigate to,” said
Carpenter, adding that it will likely attract a younger crowd because Fairhaven Middle School is nearby. She also mentioned
that she often sees middle school students around Rocket Donuts after school is
done for the day.
Colleen Mitchell said she hopes Fat Pie Pizza will bring
more people to Fairhaven.
“Rocket Donuts has already brought more people, so that’s a good sign,” she
added. She also said she is hopeful that the completion of the pizzeria will
attract a wider range of customers to her business.
Mindnich anticipates the addition of more businesses in Fairhaven will make the neighborhood a destination spot
for travelers in the Pacific Northwest. He
mentioned that he feels everyone in the neighborhood would benefit from the
prospect of attracting more visitors into the town.
A Lot of Flowers, previously located where Rocket Donuts is
currently placed, has moved further down Harris Avenue on the west side of Fat Pie
Pizza. Some people in the neighborhood thought the move would negatively affect
the flower shop, but Penny Ferguson, owner of A Lot of Flowers, is satisfied
with her new location. Locals have made positive comments on the amount of
light let in through the windows of the shop’s new home. Pearson Construction
Company, the same company working on Fat Pie Pizza, constructed the building
for the flower shop.
Fat Pie Pizza will offer a gluten free pizza and vegetarian
sandwiches. The most expensive item on the menu will be a lobster pizza, priced
at around $30.
“The pizza will be quite different,” said Mindnich. “We’re
going to need custom made pizza boxes.”
