Organic Pizza Restaurant Will Open With Liquor License

Green Zone Pizza, a future restaurant currently under construction in the Village, will open its doors with the ability to serve beer and liquor. 

The council unanimously approved the transfer of a license put in escrow by the former Antonio's of the Woods to Green Zone Pizza on Monday. 

The transfer follows the council's decision last week to , the former Clairpointe Restaurant, which has remodeled and altered its menu. 

Each city receives quota licenses based on population. For decades the city had four licenses, but the fourth went unused. Then within 48 hours, the city received two applications for that license, which costs $1,000.

Green Zone Pizza developer/owner Markus Wiederkehr could have taken advantage of the redevelopment license for $20,000 after it was issued to him rather than the quota license, but he said the transfer from the former Antonio's was less expensive. The exact price is not being released, but Wiederkehr is happy he will open with the ability to serve liquor and beer. 

Along with creating healthy pizzas and food options by using local, organic ingredients, Wiederkehr plans to offer organic and gluten-free, locally brewed beers. His original business plans called for the liquor service for clients, and he's described it as a natural fit.

As an added protection for Wiederkehr, the council granted him 180 days for the successful transfer of the license. If the transfer for some reason falls through, Wiederkehr could still has the redevelopment license to ensure his new restaurant venture opens with beer and liquor service, he said.

Behind-the-scenes work is going relatively well, but Wiederkehr said he recently had to hire different architects to redo the designs to reach 70-seat capacity. This is delaying progress by about four weeks, he said. 

He still expects to open soon and is anxious to start serving Grosse Pointers. He is hopeful his restaurant will draw younger people into the Pointes, he said. 

"I'm looking forward to the support from the community," Wiederkehr said. "Grosse Pointe needs some fresh new things."