Local Italian restaurant Tavola Gigi’s granted special-use permit

Tavola Gigi’s will soon be able to sell alcoholic beverages once it receives a special-use permit approved by the Mount Pleasant Planning Commission Thursday.

The commission approved the request which would allow the restaurant, located at 1506 W. High Street, to become a Class I Restaurant.

Tavola Gigi’s owner Georgianne Gennette-Zavaglia said in order to stay competitive they need to be able to offer wine and beer as a complement to their meals.

But Gennette-Zavaglia said she has no interest in opening a full bar.

“Our intent is to be a restaurant, that’s who we are,” she said. “This is just to add on to what we are doing.”

The restaurant estimates that only 20 percent of its profits would come from the alcohol sales.

After losing business this past New Years Eve, Gennette-Zavangalia knew they should pursue offering alcoholic beverages.

She is in the process of purchasing a transferable resort license. Before the purchase can be completed, Gennette-Zavangalia will have to get approval from the City Commission and Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

“We want to stay keeping with who we are, which is an Italian restaurant,” she said.

Slight revisions for the addition to Mountain Town Station, 506 W. Broadway St., were also approved at Thursday’s meeting.

The new plan would add 300 sq. feet. However, the added space would not impact the seating.

Mountain Town owner and city Commissioner Jim Holton was unable to attend the meeting. A representative spoke on his behalf.

“This would just add a kitchen, but not increase the occupancy,” he said.

The revised plan would also add more stylish outside features, such as a turret.

The commission set a public hearing for May 5 to hear a proposal on adopting the amendment to implement new zoning laws in accordance with the recent tribal agreement

The city settled a lawsuit with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in November.

Zoning laws will apply to all residents regardless of tribal status. But if a tribal member wants to appeal decisions of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the decision would be made in Tribal Court. All other residents would head to state court.