News

Marco's Pizza coming to Seventh Avenue

Marcos Pizza plans to open by November at 310 Seventh Avenue East.

By Bill Moss, Published: September 22, 2017

The Historic Seventh Avenue District is getting its first chain restaurant, a fast-growing pizzeria that features dine-in, carry-out and delivery of pizza, wings and subs.

Ryan Spring, of Lexington, S.C., received a zoning permit and building permit for renovation of the space at 310 Seventh Avenue East near the intersection of U.S. 64. He hopes to open by early November. A $500,000 renovation of the 3,600-square-foot space is under way now.
“We’re working on getting Hendersonville open,” he said. “And after that we’ll probably go to Arden.”
A dining spot open in the evening could be the catalyst for more retail and nightlife in the Historic Seventh Avenue District. Marco’s would add a full menu at lunch and supper to a new coffee bar that opened in June and a new brewery, Triskelion, scheduled to open later this year.
“It’s the only actual pizza franchise that was started by a real Italian,” Spring said. “We’re in all the magazines (for its rapid expansion).”
The fast-growing chain already operates five restaurants in the South Carolina Upstate — one in Greer and two each in Greenville and Spartanburg. The Hendersonville Marco’s would be the first in Western North Carolina.
Founder Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco was born in Sulmona, Italy, and came to the U.S. at age 9. He grew up in Dearborn, Mich., and worked in his family’s pizzeria. With his father, he perfected the pizza recipe used in more than 800 Marco’s locations across the U.S. The restaurant company has expanded rapidly since 2005, more than doubling in size and opening new franchises in 35 states plus Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and India.
The menu features 11 specialty pizzas including Philly cheese steak, chicken Florentine, chicken fresco, garden, Hawaiian, white cheezy, Pepperoni Magnifico and barbecue chicken, from $6.99 to $19.99; eight subs ($5.99); plain, hot and barbecue wings ($5.50 for 6, $10.99 for 14), garden, antipasto, chicken Caesar, Greek and chef’s salads ($6.49) and baked cinnamon squares and double chocolate brownies for dessert.
Marco’s does not serve beer and wine.
“Right next door we have the brewery coming in and we’re working on a partnership,” Spring said of Triskelion Brewing Co. “We’re talking to them. The beer will be right there so that will take care of that.”
Marco’s would be the second pizzeria to open in the area in a six-month time frame, joining Uncle Scott’s Pizza in Laurel Park. And it would bookend the Seventh Avenue with pizza restaurants; Two Guys Pizza & Ribs is at the eastern gateway to the historic district.
When it reaches Asheville, Marco’s could run into a branding conflict.
Marco’s Pizzeria, a family business that has been serving New York-style pizza since 1933, operates two restaurants in Asheville.