New pizzeria to open by early November
As everyone has probably noticed, construction got underway several weeks ago at what most recently was the site of Spotless Cleaners (3015 E. Madison St.). As we reported in April, Pagliaccci Pizza will soon be coming to this site on Madison Park's doorstep---and after hearing the news, several readers asked us to get the details.
To do that we contacted Pagliacci co-owner Matt Galvin, who provided us with this graphic showing what the site will look like upon completion in the fall. The new building will have approximately 35 seats, but on-site parking will necessarily be limited, says Galvin. But of course there's always the convenience of home delivery.
Galvin says that this is really a return to Madison Valley rather than an entirely new venture for the pizza chain. The previous building had once housed Pagliacci's "commissary" operation (a kitchen baking for the benefit of Pagliacci restaurants and delivery locations). "This is an exciting opportunity for us," says Galvin, "and it's long overdue. We've been working on this for ten years---but we're in the patient mode."
Galvin describes Pagliacci's pizza as "old school": hand tossed, brick-baked, thin crust, and featuring local ingredients wherever possible. He didn't mention (though we do) that Pagliacci Pizza was just voted "Best Pizza" in the Seattle Weekly readers' poll.
This will be Pagliacci's 23rd location, including delivery-only sites. Many of us remember that this location was once a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. According to Galvin, the site was originally the depot for the trolly that once ran between downtown and Madison Park. In the early days, a trestle---which carried the trolly---existed between Madison Valley and the intersection of what is now Lake Washington Boulevard. Later the site became a gas station; and following the exit of Kentucky Fried Chicken it was subsequently a commissary for both Pagliacci and, later, Pasta & Company.
It's an important and historic site, says Galvin, "and the location's a good fit for us. We're excited about the move and about getting the site cleaned up." Construction could be completed as early as October, he said, but may slip into November.
[Photo and graphic courtesy of Pagliacci Pizza.]
Good to see that the number of Pizza places will equal the number of banks!
ReplyDeleteNo parking in Madison Valley = Death, especially way down there where street parking is almost non-existent. Luc, Voila, La Cote, etc at least have the benefit of side streets and Madison Ave parking in front. That site has neither. No point in having 35 seats if no one will occupy them. They better have a broad free-delivery zone.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if Pagliacci purchased the house next door to the site? Or will the new pizzeria be solely on the former dry cleaning property?
ReplyDeleteSuch a smart move on Pagliacci's part. With the Washington Park playfields right across the street, they'll do OK with post-soccer and baseball get-togethers. While there is Mad Pizza down in the valley and Pizza Hut at MLK and Madison, there's room in the 'hood for a nice casual pizza place in Mad Valley. Also parking is not bad at that end of Madison, especially evenings when I expect they'll do most of their business.
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited to have Pag's in the neighborhood! Their product and customer service beat that of MadPizza hands down any day. The Independent Pizzeria is good, but the wait is always too long and it is much more expensive than Pagliacci's. They don't need parking when so many will want it delivered.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back; hurry up!
There will be space for some parking on site. In the evenings, especially after City People's and the offices across Madison from CP close for the day, there is usually ample parking on both sides of Madison towards Lake Washington Blvd., and once the Arboretum flood overflow project is done, that section of Madison will reopen to parking. If anything, parking near Luc, La Cote, Harvest Vine, Voila, Jae's and Essential is much harder - and those all somehow remain in business. The house behind is still standing and presumably will remain so - it's outside of the fenced-off construction area.
ReplyDelete