After a five month renovation, Pizza 51 is now open for business in Fairway at the corner of Mission Road and 60th Street.
The opening completes a process that began back in April 2010, when owner Jason Pryor first approached the city of Fairway about the idea of opening a restaurant on the site of the abandoned gas station there. The station had been empty for years, proving an eye sore for neighbors.
Though the initial deal faltered, it was brought back to life in December 2010 when the previous owners of the property began demolition of the gas station without a permit from the city. The city issued a stop action, and Pryor approached the owners again about purchasing the property.
Fairway also approved a $40,000 sale tax reimbursement over the course of five years to complete the deal.
The Fairway location, officially called Pizza 51 West, offers the same menu as the Brookside original, but has a full coffee bar as well.
“We’re excited about the new coffee concept,” Pryor said. “All our baristas were trained by staff from The Roasterie.”
The restaurant will sell pastries and breakfast items as well in the morning hours. Pryor said the first few days would be a “soft open” with staff getting up to speed, but that he hoped they’d be up-and-running for good in time for Friday’s Movie in the Park next to the Fairway Pool.
