The owners of McGarrey’s Oakwood Cafe and Colony Pizza are joining forces on a new restaurant to be called Oakwood Pizzeria.
Shane McGarrey and Eric Broffman have been in the food service business their whole lives, and they’ve been friends for years.
“He was looking to expand his store to the east side,” Broffman said about McGarrey, “And then I kind of approached him with the idea, ‘Would you be interested in doing something together, maybe?’”
It was just talk for a while, but about six weeks ago, they found a location, and things have moved quickly ever since. They hope to open at 861 E. 38th St. in June.
“We talk business all the time,” McGarrey said. “We’re in the same industry and we’re friends.”
“I think one night it just kind of got serious,” Broffman said. “I had been eyeing up the location for a long time because I live out that way.”
The location was most recently a Cheeserie, which closed in February. Cheeserie still has two other locations, one in the Flagship City Food Hall, the other in the Millcreek Mall.
The location has about 2,200 square feet, McGarrey said, and can seat roughly 70. They said they’re going to decorate in Pittsburgh colors black and yellow, since they’re both from the Steel City, and have at least 10 big-screen TVs, perfect for watching the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.
They’re still finalizing the menu, but McGarrey said the Oakwood’s Reuben will definitely be on it. And Broffman has a Reuben pizza. Other Oakwood classics available could include chicken and biscuits, meatloaf, hot turkey sandwiches, pot roast sandwiches, pot roast dinners and burgers.. Broffman will bring pizza, wings, calzones, strombolis, subs and salads. They also will serve a sandwich called the Strip District, which he said is basically a souped-up Italian combo sub.
They’ll be getting their baked goods, buns, bread sticks and more from Westlake Bakery, 3443 West Lake Road, and they plan dine-in, carryout and delivery options.
They’re getting 90 percent new equipment for the new restaurant, and they will do some remodeling, but they both think they’ll open in June.
They’re looking forward to seeing how the public reacts to the collaboration. Colony Pizza and McGarrey’s are both long-term players on the Erie dining scene and have loyal followings, and both owners think that will help the joint venture thrive.
“I don’t remember two big names going and getting together like this,” McGarrey said. “We’re excited. Nervous excited, but in a good way.”
