Martini & Nuzzi’s, already known for the food, martinis and live music it offers at 6023 Manley Road in Maumee, will soon have a second location open Downtown.
Owner Cheryl Jiannuzzi said she hopes to have the new location at 329 N. Huron St. open in late March, just in time for the Mud Hens season to begin. The expansion is coming at a time when Downtown is revitalizing, she said.
“I just thought that Downtown is picking up and I think that right now is the right time to get in on it,” she said. “We have a lot of different ideas. We have a lot of good entertainment. We have loyal customers.”
Jiannuzzi fell in love with the location, which formerly housed The 329, Ole Taco & Tequila and Diva.
The new location underwent renovations (including new floors) before Jiannuzzi chose it. She said she fell in love with the brick walls and wood floors.
“It’s nice,” she said. “It looks like our bar.”
Its proximity to the Huntington Center made the new location appealing as well. Jiannuzzi plans to capitalize on the business they get from those events.
The neighboring bars and restaurants have been welcoming to Jiannuzzi. She has plans to work with them in the future.
As is the case at the Maumee location, the Downtown bar will host live entertainment. Local acts like Noisy Neighbors, Joe Woods and Chris Shutters have been known to play at the Maumee location.
The new location will also have valet parking and an “Express Menu” for people on lunch breaks who have limited time.
Jiannuzzi planned the menu and the martinis. Some martinis include the Abra Cadabra, the Bananarama and the Green Eyed Monstor. Food items on the menu include paninis, pasta, pizza and burgers, but Jiannuzzi is particularly fond of the meatballs.
The restaurant is intended to be a family business and Jiannuzzi said she hopes to pass it to her kids when she is gone. She helped work in her own parents’ restaurant when she was a kid.
“I’ve always wanted to do it,” she said. “I’ve been doing this since I was 10 years old at my parents’ restaurant. I made homemade candy.”
Jiannuzzi started to make bigger decisions about her life after a health scare.
“I was in the hospital, I had gangrene of my appendix and my doctor said, ‘Five more minutes and you would’ve been dead. Whatever you plan on doing, you better do it now,’” she said.
The restaurant plans to shut down the street to celebrate Mud Hens Opening Day on April 16. The event will include a tent and live music.
For more information, visit martiniandnuzzis.com.
