Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 348

mm Postino East has plans for a Jan. 16 opening 1 I'Wfyt ptw i-- it 1 Construction plans for Postino East were submitted to the town on Tuesday and could be approved within 12 days, DeMarco said. "The town has been absolutely great to work with," DeMarco said. "They've really paved the way and rolled out the red carpet." DeMarco has said the menu at Gilbert's Postino will mirror the other two locations, where most of the menu is priced under $13. DeMarco believes lower prices will resonate with the public in a down economy.

When Bennan's vision for the former GrainBelt building was revealed last September, it drew praise from town officials and community leaders who recognized the new potential. Redevelopment Commissioner Gene Valentine called the concept "the best economic model I've seen for this building since it was built." By Parker Leavitt The Republic azcentral.com Postino East anticipates a mid-January opening in downtown Gilbert as construction work advances on the former GrainBelt restaurant site at Gilbert Road and Page Avenue. Valley restaurateur Craig De-Marco, who owns two Postino WineCafe restaurants in Phoenix, said workers are ready to begin interior improvements on Oct. 1, and the restaurant will likely open Jan. 16.

Postino East will feature a lounge area and a large outdoor patio with lots of green space, De-Marco said. The area will be large enough to accommodate events such as live music, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, he said. "We really want to help activate the whole area," DeMarco said. When developer and building owner Mike Bennan last year an nounced his intention to give the vacant building a massive makeover, a buzz of excitement quickly swirled around the community. Construction work to split the large structure in half, add patios and redo the exterior has been visible for months, and residents are taking notice.

"A lot of people are reaching out via Facebook," DeMarco said. "And every time we visit the space, we get people pulling over and wanting to talk about it." Postino East will open in the building's southern end, where diners can see Gilbert's iconic water tower from the patio. Another restaurant is planned for the north half, but no announcement has been made on what that might be after plans for a Barrio Cafe" spinoff fell through. In an interview with The Republic, DeMarco also revealed his desire to open an ice cream shop in the downtown Heritage District. He's still searching for Paramount Iron's Lazaro Canales arc welds a joint on the front shade structure of Postino East in downtown Gilbert, charue leighttthe republic the right spot, however.

would feature "artisan ice Right now, the only option for cream," like that found at Churn, ice cream downtown is Dairy his ice cream spot at Central and Queen, DeMarco said. His store Oregon avenues in Phoenix. rj ,4 721 GMC NW Corner, Superstition Springs US 60 it ft -V Multi-Point Inspection Included v. 1 -torn fwe'Y "Pius disposdi fee DIESEL WW Call for an appointment schedule online at www.eamhardtbuickgmc.com Phs a $ysst fet 'wwx ouenzuptoS otot.Mqi!oil) p3 of'aael oil hon fcW ray i gmc Certified Service 'I" I I ii i I II.