An Athens, Georgia-born pizzeria is opening on Fifth Avenue at the end of the year. Franchisees and 17-year residents of Westerville, Katy and Matt Iwaszkiewicz, hope Your Pie at the View on Fifth will be a staple restaurant for the residents above and around them.
In 2006, Georgia resident Drew French, then 22, opened Your Pie. Over the last decade, dozens more have opened in the Southeast and along the east coast. Some have opened as far away as Arizona. Iwaszkiewicz’s Your Pie will be the first in Ohio.
The Iwaszkiewiczes started their search for a franchise-able restaurant about a year and a half ago. A visit to Atlanta led them to the pizzeria, and it was the perfect fit.
“After meeting with the corporate folks and seeing what Your Pie had to offer — and, most importantly, tasting — it was an easy decision for us,” he said.
The Columbus Your Pie will have the same theme and atmosphere as other Your Pies — industrial, with metal fixtures, wooden tables, and concrete floors. But the space is differently designed and inhabits a unique location. Their spot at the View gives them 2,400 square feet, room enough for 70 seats and a bar, and a 400-person built-in customer base in the apartments above.
“It’s just the perfect environment for this concept, which is a casual concept,” Iwaszkiewicz said. “Very inviting, and although it’s fast casual, you can have a meal for 20 minutes or hang out for hours.”
The bar is beer and wine only. It will carry national brands as well as Columbus and Ohio brews, a move that Iwaszkiewicz intends to draw in Columbusites wary about eating corporate. Progress is fast, he said, and if everything sticks to schedule, Your Pie will open by the end of the year at 1011 West Fifth Avenue, Unit 106B. Several are set to follow; Iwaszkiewicz is considering Gahanna, Westerville and Dublin for more Your Pies, but it’ll depend on availability.
For more information, visit www.yourpie.com.