Small Bites: Spreading the love … and the pizza

Sign of the times: Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company demonstrates a corporate takeover in reverse. The local pizza business plans to take control of a now-defunct Domino’s Pizza takeout/delivery location in south Asheville. Photo by Bill Rhodes

How well does Asheville support local? Well enough that at least one local business has been able to take over a building recently abandoned by a struggling chain restaurant. When a Domino's Pizza location in south Asheville closed, the owners of the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, a beloved local business with a loyal following and a burgeoning empire to show for it, pounced on the opportunity to take over the space. The Asheville Pizza crew, it seems, know a good opportunity when they see one.

The newest addition to the growing Asheville Pizza family (the restaurant currently has locations on Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville and Coxe Avenue downtown) is located off Hendersonville Road in the Gerber Village. The spot will offer delivery and takeout only; the old Domino's building doesn't have the facilities to accommodate dine-in eating. On the plus side, however, the building is almost ready for business as is. "The location is perfect for us, and it's pretty much all set up already," says Doug Riley, brewer and owner of the Asheville Pizza Company. "It already had a walk-in [refrigerator], a hood," he says. "We just basically have to buy a make-line and some ovens, and we're ready to go."

To start out, Asheville Pizza south will only offer pizza and beer — in growlers and cans (when they're ready). But what more do you really need?

Riley says that the pizza location could be ready to open as early as December. "There's so many apartments and houses down there, it's kind of a no-brainer." says Riley. "The only delivery [in that area] now that Domino's is gone is Pizza Hut. We're going to be almost the only game in town down there, which will be nice."

Information about the new location will be posted at http://www.ashevillepizza.com as it becomes available.

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