Change is Coming to Site of Godfather's Pizza

The owner of the property now occupied by Godfather's Pizza at 35th Ave NE and NE 73rd is planning to build a three-story, mixed-use building on the site. The ground floor would be commercial space and parking, and twelve residential units would occupy the two upper floors.

This greatly reduced image of a sketch by architects Weber+Thompson of Seattle shows the layout for the ground floor. Commercial space fronting 35th Ave would be divided by a residential lobby, with parking on the west and north.

Godfather's owner Chad Grembos, whose lease expires September 2002, plans to stay in Wedgwood one way or another. He's negotiating to lease space in the new building, but if that falls through, he'll seek a new location in the neighborhood.

Grembos bought the restaurant in March of 2000. Customers and neighbors have appreciated the clean premises, friendly staff, and donations of pizza for community and school events. When signs first went up regarding the proposed construction, some customers thought Grembos was going out of business. To dispel that rumor, he's posted a flyer in the restaurant that concludes, "I like Wedgwood, [and] I will be here for a long time!"

- David Atcheson