It’s taken Perrotti’s Pizza longer than expected, but a property company representative said the pizzeria’s move to the GrandMarc is right around the corner. In November, Andrew Harris, assistant asset manager for Phoenix Property Co., which owns and operates the GrandMarc, told the Skiff that Perrotti’s was expected to move in by the first of the year, but “a few minor issues” have delayed the move.
“(The interior) is already built,” Harris said. “(But) it’s taken a little longer than we thought it would.”
Beverly Perrotti, co-owner of Perrotti’s, attributes the delay to the numerous permits the city requires for the new space. After one inspection, Perrotti’s was forced to redo some ventilating because a vent-a-hood failed to pass code.
“The only thing that’s holding us up is all the permits,” Perrotti said. “You need a permit for every little thing. I just didn’t realize how complicated it is.”
One crucial permit Perrotti’s is still waiting to receive is the certificate of occupancy, which can’t be granted until the city has finished construction on the sidewalks that border the GrandMarc.
Harris said the sidewalks are almost entirely “wrapped up,” and after a few final inspections from the city, “it’s just a matter of moving them over there, dishes and silverware and all that good stuff.”
With most of her equipment already in the new space, Perrotti said she hopes to be in the GrandMarc within the next month.
Citibank, the only other company to have leased space in the GrandMarc, is further behind in the installation process.
Harris said Citibank is still working on the plan for its interior and will likely need until the summer to finish construction.
Though the majority of the GrandMarc’s retail space remains vacant, Harris said two additional leases are in the final stages of negotiation. He was unable to disclose the companies’ names as the leases are yet to be signed.
The lack of other tenants doesn’t bother Perrotti, who thinks it’s only a matter of time before the space fills up.
“I don’t worry about things like that,” Perrotti said. “Most people like to see things up and going (before they’ll sign a lease).”
Residents are glad to finally see progress but said Perrotti’s move would have little effect on their daily routines.
Junior Lindsay Haverlah, a secondary education major, said the move didn’t make a difference because Perrotti’s is literally moving across the street.
Nate Arnold, a sophomore business major and GrandMarc resident, said he would certainly take advantage of Perrotti’s new location, as it was “something that was promised when I signed my lease.