The building at 1931 W. Main St. has both perplexed and excited Jefferson City area residents for months, but West Main Pizza is finally ready to serve up a new eatery with a grand opening the week of Nov. 1.
Charlie Christiansen and his wife, Jessica, purchased the property in September 2013 with the intention of revitalizing their neighborhood with a new gathering place near West Elementary School, and it has been under significant construction ever since.
"We're trying to be a cute, quaint neighborhood pizza establishment," Christiansen said.
The restaurant will offer dine-in, carry-out and delivery, with a menu of hand-tossed, thin-crust pizza made entirely with fresh ingredients, including gluten-free options.
"We are not going to have a freezer," Christiansen quipped about his intention to serve fresh food only.
The menu will also include beer and wine, and a seating capacity of 49 will be available in the dining room and indoor lounge, plus additional seating on the outdoor patio.
If passersby have noticed any buzz at West Main Pizza over the past week, it's likely because the Christiansens have been holding soft openings to perfect the restaurant's tastes, kitchen system and atmosphere.
The building also houses Christiansen's Shelter Insurance Agency and Bohl & House CPA. The property owners initially had planned to open a retail shop for antiques and refurbished furniture, but have since scrapped the idea.
West Main Pizza will be open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.