Last year, Main Street's plant-forward pizza spot, Pizzeria Grano, shook things up by going from a fully vegan model to offering some dairy on its menu.
Now things are changing yet again for Grano, as the pizzeria revealed Sunday (Feb. 4) it will soon no longer be offering a dine-in restaurant experience.
Grano made the announcement on its social media, sharing that the pizza spot will "be closing for dine-in" next month.
The last day of service for dine-in at Grano at 3420 Main At will be Sunday, March 3, according to owners.
However, Grano indicates this isn't the end entirely for the pizzeria.
Grano's next move: Pizza to-go
It’s just the closing of this chapter as we move towards our next venture. Rest assured, we will still be providing the best plant-based Neapolitan pizza in Vancouver."
On Feb. 28, Grano announced its "next chapter," which has been dubbed "Grano to Go."
"Your favorite plant-based Neapolitan pizzeria is transitioning to take-out ONLY," announced operators on social media.
The menu features eight pizzas, including fan favourites like the Bee Sting, along with garlic knots, olives, a Caesar salad, and Tiramisu and cannoli for dessert. The food is plant-forward, though dairy cheese remains an option for the pizzas.
Starting March 6, Grano to Go will be available by order via the Pizzeria Grano website, UberEats, and Doordash from Wednesday to Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m.
Pick-up is at the restaurant, however, orders will be handed over at the back entrance only.
Plans for the dining room space have not been shared as of yet, though it does seem like Grano may soon be sharing space with a fresh concept from the same team.
The Vancouver slice wheel: Don't Argue and Grano's connections
Pizzeria Grano opened in 2020; owners made a quick turnover of the space that had been the longtime home of another pizza predecessor, Don't Argue.
Don't Argue shuttered in August 2019 after a five-year run, and soon after, the owners of Via Tevere took over the address.
In a full circle moment, the same owners, brothers Dom and Frank Morra, are now reviving Don't Argue - with the blessing of its original owner and pizzaiolo - as a slice shop operation out of their Commercial Drive Italian caffe, Soccavo. Those pizzas will be fired up for the first time for fans on March 1.
For its part, the Morra's Via Tevere is a longtime Victoria Drive and food truck staple, known for its Napoletana-style pizzas and cozy restaurant atmosphere.
Pizzeria Grano also does wood-oven fired Napoletana-style pizza, and, initially, the menu was entirely plant-based.
Then, last spring, owners changed the menu to include dairy (cheese) and expanded Grano's definition to be that of a "vegetarian and vegan" restaurant.
"In a year when many vegan restaurants and suppliers have closed, it is our absolute prerogative to choose to broaden our customer base to include people with different, but similar, dietary preferences," they explained in April 2023 in a statement.
"It goes without saying...this decision was not made without taking every factor into consideration," General Manager Katie Mantei told V.I.A. at the time.
"Since opening, it has been very clear that we are missing out on a demographic that may be plant-based curious but hesitant to spend their hard-earned money on an experience or cuisine that they may not enjoy."
Mantei acknowledged that the change may lead to customers opting to no longer support Grano.
'We are disheartened that this is the decision we have to make'
As another massive change looms, Grano also acknowledged its struggles.
"We are beyond grateful to the staff, customers, and suppliers that have allowed us to serve our community and supported us through these past couple of years," shared Grano's representatives in its recent closure announcement. "
It comes as no surprise that there have been numerous obstacles we’ve had to face since opening that are not unique to our story. In a climate in which many restaurants are trying their best to stay afloat, we are disheartened that this is the decision we have to make."
Grano concludes with "more to come..." which hints the restaurant will likely use its Instagram soon to shed more light on the future of the pizza brand.
With files from Allie Turner
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