Nice. I am always a bit apprehensive going to the Broad St.location at night.
Pizza makers began slinging dough Monday at the new Mellow Mushroom in Evans.
Though the franchise's second area location was conceived during better economic times, franchise owner Shawn Ledford said a recession didn't change his decision to go through with the $1.5 million restaurant.
"The pizza business has been strong. Our numbers are bigger this year than they were last year," he said.
The pizzeria at 4348 Washington Road will employ 50 people. Mr. Ledford employs 40 at the Mellow Mushroom in downtown Augusta.
Even though one effect of a recession is people cutting back on dining out, "people are still going to go out," Mr. Ledford said. "They've already admitted that's the last thing they are going to cut out."
He said pizza restaurants, his in particular, are positioned to do well in a recession because people will choose to go to a place where they can eat for $25 instead of $40.
It took four months to build the 5,000-square-foot restaurant, which seats 165 people. It was two years in the planning.
"I wanted to bring one to Evans because the lively and funky atmosphere fits perfectly into the rapidly growing neighborhood, and I know that the residents will fall in love with the food," Mr. Ledford said.
He opened his first Mellow Mushroom in 2003 at 1167 Broad St. in a renovated car rental building.
He secured the rights to open a pizzeria in Aiken, though there is no exact time frame to do so.
"If I were to do it in two years, I would be happy," he said.
Atlanta-based Mellow Mushroom has 85 locations throughout the Southeast, concentrating in cities with colleges.
The restaurant doesn't deliver, but independent food delivery services will serve customers who want food from Mellow Mushroom. Mr. Ledford said those services have told him they will be happy with the Columbia County location because it will cut down waiting times for nearby customers.
Reach Tim Rausch at (706) 823-3352 or timothy.rausch@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Nice. I am always a bit apprehensive going to the Broad St.location at night.
mmmmmm..... and now I can save on gas money too.
Fianlly, an alternative to the pizza joint in evans!!!
Made many trips at night to Broad St. location. Never a problem. Plenty of parking nearby and was able to walk to many cool, fun, places just a block or 2 away.
Broad Street's fine at night. Just don't go South of 6th Street after dark.
I thought mushrooms were hallucinogenic.
Re-read the article NEone. It's there. I'm glad to see it open up, also. I like the Pizza Joint just fine, but the service can be slow at times. Also, Mellow Mushroom (as well as Pizza Joint) serves my favorite micro brew, Rogue Dead Guy Ale.
yay! Mellow Mushroom has delicious pizza and it's reasonable!
Yum yum....Mellow Mushroom AND Pizza Joint in Evans....I can't take it!!!
4348 Washington Road NEone. Reread!!
I have eaten at the original Mellow Mushroom in Atlanta when I lived there in the 70's and 80's....it was good then and I'm sure it's good now. Glad to see one here in Evans along with the one on Broad St.
This sounds pretty dumb, but the big thing I have against the Pizza Joint is that they make their customers eat off of paper plates!! And they're not even GOOD paper plates like Chinet...they're the crappy, flimsy Bi-Lo brand!! If I'm spending that much, I want REAL plates, thank you!
JustMy: At least they don't make you eat off of the table!
While reading this article I was making plans to visit the Broad street store tomorrow...but...Just My Opinion changed my mind in a flash. I agree, when any eating establishment serves me a meal on a paper plate they have lost my business for good. Cheap is as cheap does! GGpap.
Finally!! i can't wait to go check it out. the one downtown is awesome and the food is so good. and my wife knows the ower, can we say free pizza!!
I've eaten at Mellow Mushroom in Athens many times, and the Calzones are awesome.
old defiantly beats new, new is awkward inside too much space to little tables. could have done better. no decorations either.
Yuck a do, Raymond don't have a net on that beard or his hair.
Guess that's the Hairy Crust Pizza he's maken...
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