Owners may move restaurant

The owners of Massimo’s Pizzeria are in negotiations to purchase the old Mittler Supply building at 510 N. Front St., located just north of Wonderland Cinema.

Cindy Cataldo, who owns the downtown Niles restaurant with her husband, Massimo, said they would like to relocate their business to the vacant building if conditions are correct.

“We’ve clearly outgrown our current location and have known that for a little while,” she said.

The plan became public Monday when Massimo came before the Niles City Council with a request to lease from the city a small piece of land adjacent to the Mittler’s building. That 6,000 square foot piece of land would be used as an outdoor entertainment area facing the St. Joseph River.

The council did not make a decision Monday, but City Administrator Ric Huff said he expects the council will entertain the request again at the Jan. 26 meeting.

Huff said the council discussed making the lease contingent that any amplified music would remain inside the building. The council has received some complaints from a few residents that Massimo’s live music is too loud at its current location.

The Cataldos currently lease the building they are in now at 20 E. Main St. They have been there for eight years.

Cindy said the 4,200 square foot Mittler’s building has twice the square footage of their current building, which would allow them to combine the dining and bar areas and move the music inside. It would also allow Massimo’s to become a full-service restaurant with table service.

Cindy said they should know by March if the deal is a go.