New pizzeria planned for Café Succo location

By Grace Lovins

Plans for a new pizzeria to be located at 600 N. Old Woodward, the former home of Café Succo in Birmingham, are on their way to the city’s commission for approval after the city’s planning board gave its recommendation during its Wednesday, January 28, meeting.

The proposed pizzeria, called Old World Pizzeria, currently has one other location in the state in Saginaw. City planner Leah Blizinski said the planning department viewed the plans as a simple swap out of different types of food.

The applicant representing the pizzeria explained that Old World Pizzeria specializes in made-from-scratch pizza. They intend to be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Blizinski noted that the plans show no changes to the exterior of the storefront, and the interior of the building will function similarly to the operations at the former Café Succo. The restaurant is expected to operate primarily as a ‘grab and go’business with a little bit of indoor seating.

Set to be located in downtown Birmingham’s O2 zoning district, Blizinski said the city’s ordinance requires the restaurant to obtain a special land use permit. She said that the restaurant will not serve alcohol, however, and does not have plans to obtain a liquor license.

During discussions, board members brought up the signage and outdoor space associated with the site. Blizinski said that signage would be reviewed later through a separate administrative process and would be required to comply with the city’s ordinance.

The applicant explained that the existing outdoor dining and sitting space is actually a common space for the building, not exclusive to the restaurant. Board members encouraged the pizzeria to work with the property owner to activate the space.

Ultimately, planning board members voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend approval of the final site plan and design as well as the special land use permit. The pizzeria will go before the city commission for final approval before it can open its doors.