Restaurant Gone, What's Will Replace Emiliano's in McIntyre Square?

Nearly three months after signing a lease for the former Emiliano's Restaurant in McIntyre Square, Giant Eagle either hasn't decided, or isn't ready to reveal, what it plans to do with the building.

"Construction continues on the parking lot reconfiguration to expand and improve the customer parking area nearest the McIntyre Square Giant Eagle and at the former Emiliano’s restaurant for use as a designated Giant Eagle Team Member parking area," said Giant Eagle spokesman Dick Roberts. "The project should be completed this summer."

But how Giant Eagle will use the building remains up in the air. 

"At this time, there are no confirmed plans for the former Emiliano’s restaurant," said Roberts.

In December, McCandless Land Use Administrator Bruce Betty said that Giant Eagle planned to expand its McIntyre Square store by taking over the space formerly occupied by the Dollar Wave, but so far, that expansion has not occurred.

"They're looking at redesigning a drive through for the pharmacy, on the south side of the building," Betty said at the time. "They want to get a liquor license and they want to move the restaurant toward the front of the building."

The Pennsylvania Supreme court ruled in 2010 that grocery stores and other chain retailers can buy and use restaurant liquor licenses. Giant Eagle now sells beer at more than 20 stores throughout the region, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported.

While the Giant Eagle grocery store is in McCandless, the former Emiliano's sits in Ross Township, according Ross Township's official Zoning map.

What do you think of Giant Eagle's plans for McIntyre Square? What do you think they will do with Emiliano's restaurant? Tell us in the comments area below.

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